Researcher secures grant to advance study on heart diseases

Cardiovascular disease is a major priority both in Australia and globally and has been identified by the Australian Government as one of nine National Health Priority Areas since 1996.

A team of dedicated researchers sought-after competitive grant from the Ian Potter Foundation to further their study on Bioprinted cardiac patches to effectively combat the effects of cardiovascular diseases. 

The funding received will support the development of bio-printing technology used as 3D printer to print tissue from single cells or spheroids in a biocompatible glue (hydrogel), ensuring the safety of the bioengineered heart tissues. This cardiac safety testing is the first of its kind in Australia and its success would equally be a first. 

Senior lecturer and leader of the Cardiovascular Regeneration Group, Dr Carmine Gentile, leads in this ground-breaking endeavour borrowing from his previous work on developing 3D human heart models known as cardiac spheroids using stem cells. Cardiac spheroids serve as the "bio-ink" utilized in the printing of the cardiac patches.

We will use the bioprinter to print patches and test their safety and efficacy in preclinical trials before they can be a provided as a therapy for patients. The patches are grafted onto the heart after a heart attack that has created an irreversible damage, so that they can promote muscle regeneration and improve cardiac function said Dr Gentile. 

The successful outcome of this study holds tremendous potential. It will aid with performing safety and efficacy testing of 3D bioprinted heart tissues for heart failure patients. Furthermore, the transition from preclinical to clinical studies would enable the translation of this innovative study - bioprinted tissues – to be available to patients. Building on UTS capacity in cardiovascular bioengineering, this study will place the University at the forefront of the global research in this field. This study also forms as part of Australian Government Department of Health's National Chronic Disease Strategy.

Ian Potter Foundation is one of Australia’s major philanthropic foundations, that supports charitable organisations working to benefit the community across a wide range of sectors including medical research. 

The Ian Potter Foundation is proud to continue our support of Dr Gentile’s research. In 2016 we invested in the purchase Dr Gentile’s 3D bio printer, one of the first in Australia, and now with this support we seek to further the development of bio printed tissue innovations toward clinical care settings, said Mr Charles Goode AC, Chairman of the Foundation.