Latest news with #SydneyBiomedicalAccelerator
West Australian
21-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Common fabric could save lives from most deadly disease
Turning silk like fairy floss into artificial blood vessels will provide a lifeline for cardiovascular patients, scientists say. Cardiovascular disease is Australia's top killer, contributing to one in four deaths. But after almost a decade of developing silk artificial blood vessels, researchers are confident they have found a solution to lower the numbers. In a world-first test, Australians scientists were able to successfully put a silk blood vessel into a sheep in December. Now they are turning their focus to using one of nature's strongest materials in humans. "We're the first to bring this natural biomaterial this far along the translational pathway," University of Sydney cardiovascular bioengineering professor Steven Wise told AAP on Wednesday. "Now we're at a place where we're in sheep and pigs, which are quite like a human." The vessel starts as a silk cocoon plucked from a farm where it is cut, dried and washed to form a liquid. It is then spat through a minuscule tube onto a cylindrical roll, where it forms a fluff similar to fairy floss. Once the fairy-floss solution solidifies, it can be used in bypass surgery as a long-term artery or vein. The technology will replace current artificial blood vessels, which are made from Gore-Tex, the same material as rain jackets. "(The plastic is) really bad for you," Professor Wise said. "They cause blood to clot, so our strategy is to build with a natural material that does belong in your body." The scientific discovery comes as shovels dig into the ground at the University of Sydney to build a new biomedical centre. Planned to be completed by 2028, the $780 million Sydney Biomedical Accelerator aims to find solutions to complicated health issues such as cancer and deadly diseases. NSW is now in the box seat to advance medical technology, according to state Health Minister Ryan Park. "It's been said for a long time that Victoria is the heart of medical research in this country," he said. "This puts us back in front of centre in this race. "This is putting money in our mouth of where we need to go ... (so) our communities can live the most healthy lives possible." The research hub will play a key role in reducing cardiovascular disease worldwide, Sydney Local Health District chief executive Deb Willcox said. The disease kills almost 18 million people per year globally, the World Health Organisation says. "It's an enormous burden across the globe," Ms Willcox said. "The work that this building bring us will bring treatments forward, provide new medication and procedures, and reduce the burden on people's lives." The Sydney Biomedical Accelerator is expected to house more than 1200 researchers and clinician scientists once opened.
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Common fabric could save lives from most deadly disease
Turning silk like fairy floss into artificial blood vessels will provide a lifeline for cardiovascular patients, scientists say. Cardiovascular disease is Australia's top killer, contributing to one in four deaths. But after almost a decade of developing silk artificial blood vessels, researchers are confident they have found a solution to lower the numbers. In a world-first test, Australians scientists were able to successfully put a silk blood vessel into a sheep in December. Now they are turning their focus to using one of nature's strongest materials in humans. "We're the first to bring this natural biomaterial this far along the translational pathway," University of Sydney cardiovascular bioengineering professor Steven Wise told AAP on Wednesday. "Now we're at a place where we're in sheep and pigs, which are quite like a human." The vessel starts as a silk cocoon plucked from a farm where it is cut, dried and washed to form a liquid. It is then spat through a minuscule tube onto a cylindrical roll, where it forms a fluff similar to fairy floss. Once the fairy-floss solution solidifies, it can be used in bypass surgery as a long-term artery or vein. The technology will replace current artificial blood vessels, which are made from Gore-Tex, the same material as rain jackets. "(The plastic is) really bad for you," Professor Wise said. "They cause blood to clot, so our strategy is to build with a natural material that does belong in your body." The scientific discovery comes as shovels dig into the ground at the University of Sydney to build a new biomedical centre. Planned to be completed by 2028, the $780 million Sydney Biomedical Accelerator aims to find solutions to complicated health issues such as cancer and deadly diseases. NSW is now in the box seat to advance medical technology, according to state Health Minister Ryan Park. "It's been said for a long time that Victoria is the heart of medical research in this country," he said. "This puts us back in front of centre in this race. "This is putting money in our mouth of where we need to go ... (so) our communities can live the most healthy lives possible." The research hub will play a key role in reducing cardiovascular disease worldwide, Sydney Local Health District chief executive Deb Willcox said. The disease kills almost 18 million people per year globally, the World Health Organisation says. "It's an enormous burden across the globe," Ms Willcox said. "The work that this building bring us will bring treatments forward, provide new medication and procedures, and reduce the burden on people's lives." The Sydney Biomedical Accelerator is expected to house more than 1200 researchers and clinician scientists once opened.
West Australian
20-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
‘Game-changing' NSW medical accelerator to break ground in Sydney's inner-west
A world-class biomedical accelerator which will house more than 1200 researchers and clinician scientists will break ground in Sydney's inner-west. The $780m Sydney Biomedical Accelerator in Camperdown will break ground on Wednesday morning, three years ahead of its planned opening in 2028. The facility will span the University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and will bring together biology and medicine disciplines to 'fast-track' scientific discovery. Health Minister Ryan Park said the research and education complex would 'change the game' when it came to research into medical diagnostics and treatments in Australia. 'Benchmarked against the world's leading biomedical facilities, the Accelerator is set to change the landscape of medical research and I hope it becomes a major drawcard for world class health researchers. 'Cutting-edge laboratories will empower researchers to accelerate the discovery of cures and treatments for a wide range of diseases, driving medical breakthroughs with greater speed and precision.' Australian-owned Richard Crookes Constructions will build the facility, which will include two new biomedical research buildings over eight level and a bridge connecting the university with the hospital. Connecting the two will enable 'seamless exchange of knowledge from lab to bedside', including clinical trials, and would help turn discoveries into patient outcomes. 'We know that for NSW to be a world leader in medical research we need to continue to foster collaboration across government, health, industry and academia,' Medical Health Minister David Harris said. 'By bringing together scientists, clinicians and innovators under one roof, we're laying the foundation for discoveries that will shape the future of healthcare in this country and across the globe.' University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott AO described the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator as 'a bold step forward in Australia's research and development landscape'. 'What makes it unique is its integration of world-class research with innovation, commercial translation, and real-world clinical outcomes,' he said. 'It will be a place for discovery – but also one where ideas transform into impact, accelerating solutions from the lab bench to the bedside and beyond.' The Accelerator will include laboratory and collaboration spaces for researchers clinicians and the industry, including an innovation and start-up hub. It will also feature a hi-tech biobank – a storage facility for tissue samples, cells, blood, and DNA – high-performing computing, precision medicine, surgery and anatomy research and teaching, core research facilities for microscopy, preclinical imaging, drug discovery, protein production and purification, and spaces for clinical trials.
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
‘Game-changer' for medicine in Aussie city
A world-class biomedical accelerator which will house more than 1200 researchers and clinician scientists will break ground in Sydney's inner-west. The $780m Sydney Biomedical Accelerator in Camperdown will break ground on Wednesday morning, three years ahead of its planned opening in 2028. The facility will span the University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and will bring together biology and medicine disciplines to 'fast-track' scientific discovery. Health Minister Ryan Park said the research and education complex would 'change the game' when it came to research into medical diagnostics and treatments in Australia. 'Benchmarked against the world's leading biomedical facilities, the Accelerator is set to change the landscape of medical research and I hope it becomes a major drawcard for world class health researchers. 'Cutting-edge laboratories will empower researchers to accelerate the discovery of cures and treatments for a wide range of diseases, driving medical breakthroughs with greater speed and precision.' The Sydney Biomedical Accelerator will break ground on Wednesday. Supplied Credit: Newswire Australian-owned Richard Crookes Constructions will build the facility, which will include two new biomedical research buildings over eight level and a bridge connecting the university with the hospital. Connecting the two will enable 'seamless exchange of knowledge from lab to bedside', including clinical trials, and would help turn discoveries into patient outcomes. 'We know that for NSW to be a world leader in medical research we need to continue to foster collaboration across government, health, industry and academia,' Medical Health Minister David Harris said. 'By bringing together scientists, clinicians and innovators under one roof, we're laying the foundation for discoveries that will shape the future of healthcare in this country and across the globe.' The city will bridge hospital and university campuses. Supplied Credit: Newswire University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott AO described the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator as 'a bold step forward in Australia's research and development landscape'. 'What makes it unique is its integration of world-class research with innovation, commercial translation, and real-world clinical outcomes,' he said. 'It will be a place for discovery – but also one where ideas transform into impact, accelerating solutions from the lab bench to the bedside and beyond.' The Accelerator will include laboratory and collaboration spaces for researchers clinicians and the industry, including an innovation and start-up hub. It will also feature a hi-tech biobank – a storage facility for tissue samples, cells, blood, and DNA – high-performing computing, precision medicine, surgery and anatomy research and teaching, core research facilities for microscopy, preclinical imaging, drug discovery, protein production and purification, and spaces for clinical trials.
