Welcome to the BioEngineering group directed by Professor Benjamin Thierry. The group is based at the Future Industries Institute at the UniSA, and is a node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology.
Our research is at the interface of bioengineering, materials science, nanoscience, and medicine. Our interdisciplinary research aims to advance several core technologies, including: 1. Solid-state sensors based on nanoscale Field Effect Transistors (FETs) and Magnetic Tunneling Junction (MTJ). 2. Organic and inorganic nanoparticles. 3. Organs-on-chip, 3D bioprinting and patients-derived organoids. We integrate these technologies towards addressing significant biomedical problems, including: 1. Cancer diagnostic and image-guided surgery/therapy; 2. Precision cancer radiotherapy; 3. CAR T cell manufacturing; 4. Prenatal diagnostic and care.
Our translational research focus is illustrated by the establishment of Ferronova Ltd, a spin-off company aimed at improving the staging of solid tumours (Oral cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer) through improved imaging. Several of our technologies are at various stage of translation, including our cell-based non-invasive prenatal testing with comprehensive genomic coverage (NIPDx), our Point-of-Care blood biomarker platform (supported by the Medical Device Partnering Program), and our CAR T cells manufacturing technology (collaboration with Carina Biotech).
We are indebted to the organizations that fund our research, including the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Research Council, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation.
