1. Current research activities

Developing methods for cell seeding of patient specific, biocompatible / biodegradable polymer scaffolds for the restoration, maintenance or replacement of tissue function. This involves culture of seeded scaffolds under both static and dynamic conditions of human and ovine fibroblasts and endothelial cells.

2. Keywords

   Histopathology and imaging
   Cell isolation, culture and characterization
   Bioreactor mechanotransduction
   Extra cellular matrix immunocytochemistry
   Scaffold design

3. End-user applications


• Cardiovascular surgery
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery


4. Key publications

I.	Birchall, IE, Moshinsky, R, Christie, B, Goldstein, J, Ketharanathan, V and Smolich, J. Retention of Endothelial Cells on Composite Biomatrix Vascular Conduits under in Vitro and in Vivo Flow Conditions. in 14th World Congress of Cardiology. 2002. Sydney, Australia.
II.	Birchall IE, Lee VWK, Ketharanathan V. Retention of endothelium on ovine collagen biomatrix vascular conduits under physiological shear stress. Biomaterials, 22, 2001. p 3139 - 3144.
III.	Birchall IE, Field PL, Ketharanathan V. Adherence of human saphenous vein endothelial cell monolayers to tissue engineered biomatrix vascular conduits. J Biomed Mater Research, 56, 2001. p 437 – 443.
IV.	Birchall IE. Direct antibody method for formalin fixed, paraffin embedded renal biopsies: A comparison with the peroxidase labeled streptavidin/biotin method. The Journal of Histotechnology, 19 (2) 1996, p125 – 129
V.	Birchall IE, Chen YP, Kincaid-Smith P and Becker GJ.Extracellular matrix components in Kimmelstiel Wilson nodules. Nephrology, 1. 1995, p 291 - 295

5. Outreach activities

   Australian Vascular Biology Annual Scientific Meeting. 2000. Marysville, Australia.
   Adherence and Retention in Vivo of Autologous Endothelium to Tissue Engineered Biomatrix Vascular Conduits.
   
   Surgical Forum. 2000. Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
   Adherence of Human Saphenous Vein Endothelial Cell Monolayers to Tissue Engineered Biomatrix Vessels.
   
   Royal Melbourne Hospital, Research Week. 2000. Melbourne, Australia.
   Adherence and Retention in Vivo of Autologous Endothelium to Tissue Engineered Biomatrix Conduits.

6. Key organisation membership
   

   TeamVic and Aust Soc Biomaterials.

7. Early career researcher?
   

   No.

8. Young investigator?
   

   No.

9. Skills and expertise


• Cell culture and characterization
• Microscopy
• Cell seeding
• Scaffold design
• Immunocytochemistry
• Histopathology
• Digital image analysis
• Bioreactor design


10. Specialist equipment and infrastructure


• Laser Doppler anemometry
• Particle imaging velocimetry
• Fused deposition modelling
• Cell culture laboratory
• Histology and digital image analysis
• Scanning electron microscopy
• Confocal microscopy
• Atomic force microscopy


11. Contact Details 

Website: www.swin.edu.au/iris/te

© 2004

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