Graeme George
  1. Current research activities

    2. (a) Biomaterials for burns scar and wound remediation: Silicone gel sheets have been clinically proven to rehabilitate hypertrophic scars. The nature and migration of the low molecular weight species from these silicone gels and their possible protein interactions are being investigated using sensitive spectroscopic techniques including MALDI and ATR-FTIR. (Co-researchers: W. Sanchez, E.Cheng, T.Bostrom, J.Evans). Controlled release of growth factor complexes and cell mediated biodegradation of polymers is being researched aimed at intelligent wound dressings (Co-researchers: Z.Upton, J.Malda, J.Khan, E.Rayment).

    (b) Implants and novel scaffolds for bioengineering and bioregeneration of bone: This research aims to produce composite scaffolds with tailored biodegradability and mechanical and biological properties to function as a load bearing bone replacement. These are based on a slowly degrading polymer/nanocomposite reinforcing phase that will sustain a load throughout the implants lifetime, and a more rapidly absorbed polymer phase to create porosity and release osteogenic factors to encourage bone ingrowth. The synthetic strategies include block copolymers and interpenetrating networks. Oxidative degradation of UHMWPE implants is being assessed for lifetime prediction and polymer surface modification by plasma treatment and radiation grafting is being used to mediate cell adhesion and proliferation.(Co-researchers: R. Crawford, B. Goss, C.Lutton, E.Wentrup-Byrne, K.George, J. Colwell, S.Shuko).

  2. Keywords

    3. Polymer biomaterials; biodegradable polymers; polymer surface modification and analysis; silicone biopolymers in scar remediation; tissue engineering scaffolds; polymer degradation, stabilization and lifetime prediction.

  3. End-user applications

    • Hypertrophic and keloid scar remediation
    • Wound dressings for diabetic ulcers
    • Synthetic implant failure and lifetime enhancement
    • Skeletal injuries and regeneration

  4. Key publications

    5. I. I. George, G.A. and Celina, M. "Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Oxidation of Polypropylene" in "Handbook of Polymer Degradation, 2nd Edition" Ed H. Hamid, Marcel Dekker, NY, Chapter 7, p 277-313 (2000).
    II. Dargaville TR, George, GA, Hill, DJT, Whittaker, AK. “High energy radiation grafting of fluoropolymers” Progr. Polym. Sci. 28, 1355-1376, (2003).
    III. Keen, I., George, G.A. and Fredericks, P.M. “Selective plasma-induced grafting of polystyrene onto polyolefin blends” J Appl Polym Sci, 88, 1643-52 (2003).
    IV. Hunt, S., Cash, G. Liu, H., George, G. and Birtwhistle, D. “Spectroscopic characterization of low molecular weight fluids from silicone elastomers” J. Macromol. Sci-Pure Appl. Chem. A39, 1007-1024 (2002).
    V. Sanchez,W., Hynard, N., Evans, J. and George, G.A. “The identification of mobile species from silicone gels used in burns scar remediation”. Silicon Chemistry, (accepted for publication).

  5. Outreach activities

    6. None as Yet.

  6. Key organisation membership

    7. None as Yet.

  7. Early career researcher?

    8. No.

  8. Young investigator?

    9. No.

  9. Skills and expertise

    • Polymer physical chemistry ·
    • Spectroscopy ·
    • Oxidation mechanisms ·
    • Chemiluminescence ·
    • Polymer materials science ·
    • Polymer surface analysis
  10. Specialist equipment and infrastructure

    •  A fully equipped polymer synthesis and characterization laboratory including access to: GPC, FT-IR; Raman; MALDITOF; LC-MS;GC-MS; DSC;TGA; FT-IES; Plasma and radiation sources; Instron tensile tester; XPS.

  11. Contact Details 

    Professor Graeme George
    Address:Faculty of Science QUT GPO Box 2434, Brisbane QLD 4000
    Country: Australia
    Phone: +61 7 3864 2203
    Fax: +61 7 3864 1508
    Email: g.george@qut.edu.au

© 2004

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