In the Composite Biomaterial Systems Laboratory, we conduct research and development in two general areas:
We can summarize our efforts as interdisciplinary investigation and innovation for improved bone health and repair. A great deal of what we do concerns structure-function-property relationships, how these change with aging and disease in bone, and how they can be optimized in the development of superior structural biomaterials.
What are Composite Biomaterial Systems?
Composite:
Made up of multiple parts/phases.
Biomaterial:
- A naturally-derived material, such as human tissue (e.g. bone, cartilage, tendon, etc.).
- A material developed for biomedical applications (e.g. implantable biomaterials for the reconstruction of bone).
Systems:
Representative of our holistic, interdisciplinary approach to research and development.
News
Congratulations to Dr. Patricia Comeau for her recent paper in Scientific Reports
Congratulations to Dr. Patricia Comeau, senior postdoctoral fellow in the WCBSL, for her recent paper published in Scientific Reports entitled "Impact of Side Chain Polarity on Non-Stoichiometric Nano-Hydroxyapatite Surface Functionalization with Amino Acids". (https://rdcu.be/42xT)
NSERC CREATE program announced.
We have a new NSERC CREATE graduate student training program in biomedical technology innovation starting at UWaterloo this Fall term (F2018). You can find out more here: https://uwaterloo.ca/stories/waterloo-faculty-member-awarded-nserc-create-grant and https://uwaterloo.ca/bioengineering-biotechnology/uw-create-program
Thomas Willett and Andrew Laing awarded Project Scheme operating grant from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) to study mechanisms of bone fragility
Thomas Willett (SYDE) and co-applicant Andrew Laing (Kinesiology) have been awarded $653,157 over four years from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) to study potential mechanisms of bone fragility originating in the organic phase of bone.
An anatomically accurate skull model printed on our vat polymerization 3D printer using our biomaterials composite resin ink.
A crack growing in cortical bone during fracture toughness testing.
A vertebra model printed using our novel nanocomposite inks and digital light projection.