The Nanostructure and Drug Delivery Group is focused on the use of pharmaceutical science and nanomedicine approaches to provide drug delivery solutions to challenging therapeutic molecules, and to advance new medicines in such fields as cancer chemotherapy drugs, anti-infective agents, anti-psychotics and cardiovascular drugs.
The Group’s primary mission is to:
The Nanostructure and Drug Delivery Group’s specific research project areas include:
The Adelaide Biofilm Test Facility (BTF) aims to improve the treatment and prevention of biofilm-associated diseases by providing adequate testing methods to the biomedical research community.
The BTF is South Australia’s first test facility for antimicrobial agents, pharmaceutical preparations, dressings, materials and coatings. Headed by Dr Nicky Thomas the BTF tests materials for their ability to inhibit or remove microbial biofilms.
The Adelaide Biofilm Testing Facility provides standardised biofilm models for industry, academia, and health care providers. We also offer customised solutions to meet specific requirements of our clients. Please contact Dr Nicky Thomas for further information.
The following are examples of models that are available for testing:
Bacteria can exist in two forms - either as free floating cells or as immobilised, surface-attached cells. Once bacteria have attached to a surface they rapidly colonise the surface forming a dense network of bacteria. The production of a complex matrix, or ‘slime’, protects the residing bacteria from external insults such as antibiotics, heat, and radiation.
Biofilms are the most successful form of life on Earth, colonising both living and non-living surfaces. In the body biofilms can be found as plaque on the teeth, which needs to be physically removed by brushing teeth to prevent dental cavities. However, biofilms also colonise less accessible areas such as the nose and sinuses, wounds, lungs, catheters and implants making effective treatment significantly more challenging.
We select biofilm models for a given application to mimic reality as close as possible to provide meaningful answers to our customers.