Professor James Friend from the Department of Mechanical Engineering profiled his innovative nanoparticle drug delivery system Respire - a system of delivering drugs deep into the lungs. James highlighted how such a device could improve treatments for asthma and offer new approaches to treating cystic fibrosis. Diabetics could receive insulin via Respire. Just think - no more needles!
Professor Euan Wallace, The Ritchie's Director, discussed the work that he and Graham Jenkin have been leading - the delivery of placental cells (amnion cells) deep into the premature baby's lung repairing damage and re-growing new lung. This research promises to be the first effective treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a lung disease affecting tiny very preterm babies. A recent paper published in the leading journal Cell Transplantation describes some of this work, done by Sean Murphy when he was a PhD student with Euan and Graham.
Monash University offers a unique health research environment in Australia - offering world leading mechanical bioengineering, innovative stem cell biology, and a world class clinical perinatal centre at Monash Medical Centre.
The Ritchie Centre at Monash - where tomorrow's cures are made today.
