• Question: Do you think your specific department will be the next big step in the future?

    Asked by Hari S to Andrew, Lizzie, Nick, Sonia on 18 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Elizabeth Kapasa

      Elizabeth Kapasa answered on 18 Jun 2015:

      Absolutely! Bioengineering is cutting-edge technology that is growing rapidly as there is more demand for solutions with a growing population and one that has a lot of elderly people (ageing population). That’s part of why we need more engineers!

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 19 Jun 2015:

      Currently it’s regenerative medicine. It does have the potential to make what I currently do obsolete. The ability to regrow hair cells in the lab been cracked.

      The problem lies with the delivery or these cells to the correct part of the cochlear. Groups have tried using electrodes with channels in electrodes, similar to cochlear implant electrodes to deliver theses cells. But problems exist in getting the same geometry as natural hair cells.

      The second problem is the ability to stop the cells from growing.

      Theses problems will eventually be sorted. Current research work continues with gene therapy where the cells are delivered via genetically modified bacteria. Also with stem cell therapy.

    • Photo: Andrew Phillips

      Andrew Phillips answered on 19 Jun 2015:

      I think it will be. At the moment there are lots of engineers working on growing cells and tissues in the lab, but often they don’t function very well when they are implanted into the body. We are focusing on developing the structures that those cells could be put in when they are implanted. We know that our structures can cope with the loads placed on them, and that they will provide a good mechanical environment for the cells to grow in.

      So we’re not the only show in town but we’re an essential part of the improvements that will be made.

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