Mohammad Sanami

There is an acute clinical need for small-diameter vascular grafts as a treatment option for cardiovascular disease. Here, we used an intelligent design system to recreate the natural structure and hemodynamics of small arteries. Nano-fibrous tubular scaffolds were fabricated from blends of polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin with inner helices to allow a near physiological spiral flow profile, using the electrospinning technique. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (ECs) were seeded on the inner surface and their viability, distribution, gene expression of mechanosensitive and adhesion molecules compared to that in conventional scaffolds, under static and flow conditions. We show significant improvement in cell distribution in helical vs. conventional scaffolds (94% ± 9% vs. 82% ± 7.2%; P < 0.05) with improved responsiveness to shear stress and better ability to withhold physiological pressures. Our helical vascular scaffold provides an improved niche for EC growth and may be attractive as a potential small diameter vascular graft.

Current research of auxetic materials highlights its potential as personal protective equipment for sports apparel with enhanced properties such as conformability, superior energy absorption and reduced thickness. In contrast, commercially available protective materials have proven to be problematic in that they inhibit movement, breathability, wicking and that molded pads are prone to saddling. Foam components are embedded within personal protective equipment for sports apparel, where protective material is positioned at regions of the body frequently exposed to injury of the soft tissue through collision, falls or hard impact. At present, the impact resistance of auxetic open cell polyurethane foam and some additively manufactured auxetic structures have been established, and processes for manufacturing curved auxetic materials as well as molding methods have been developed. Despite this, auxetic materials have not yet been applied as personal protective equipment for sports apparel in current research. This paper argues that there is scope to investigate auxetic materials potential for enhanced wearer functionality through properties of synclastic curvature and biaxial expansion.

Innovation lies at the heart of academia, and universities generate high-quality, intellectual property on a large scale. However, commercial translation of this intellectual property has traditionally been poor, particularly in the critical healthcare sector. It is critical that this situation is addressed to ensure that innovation from research institutes can fulfil its potential and progress to have a genuine impact on the outside world. In this article, we consider the nature of healthcare innovation in academia and ways in which commercial translation of intellectual property can be successfully realised. This is first analysed from an academic perspective, with a particular focus on how academic motivations and work practices can shape successful translation. We then switch perspective to examine the same process from an industry perspective, looking at the characteristics and expectations involved in the innovation life cycle. To place these analyses in context, we present a case study examining a project being undertaken to commercialise a novel surgical instrument, the intra-abdominal platform, from identification of clinical need, through the development life cycle, to commercialisation of the system. We reflect on the successes and challenges encountered during the intra-abdominal platform project, the broader lessons learned and in conclusion use these to emphasise how academia can adopt practices to better translate intellectual property in the future.

Various chemical, natural, or synthetic in origin, crosslinking methods have been proposed over the years to stabilise collagen fibers. However, an optimal method has yet to be identified. Herein, we ventured to assess the potential of 4-star poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate, as opposed to glutaraldehyde (GTA), genipin and carbodiimide, on the structural, physical and biological properties of collagen fibers. The 4-star poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate induced an intermedium surface smoothness, denaturation temperature and swelling. The 4-star poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate fibers had significantly higher stress at break values than the carbodiimide fibers, but significantly lower than the GTA and genipin fibers. With respect to strain at break, no significant difference was observed among the crosslinking treatments. The 4-star poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate fibers exhibited significantly higher cell metabolic activity and DNA concentration that all other crosslinking treatments, promoted consistently cellular elongation along the longitudinal fiber axis and by day 7 they were completely covered by cells. Collectively, this work clearly demonstrates the potential of 4-star poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate as collagen crosslinker.