Our internationally renowned Centre for Biomaterials in Surgical Reconstruction and Regeneration (CBSRR) develops innovative materials and devices that address real medical needs.
Our work
As a multidisciplinary team of academics (cell biologists, chemists, engineersÌýand material scientists) and clinicians, we deliver new knowledge, inventions and clinical solutions by innovating new biomaterials, scaffolds, nanomedicine and devices.
Our strengths
Fundamental understanding
Correlation of structure and properties of biomaterials at multiple scales
Self-assembling behaviour of nanoparticles and macromolecules
Interface between biomaterials and cells / tissues.
Innovations
Synthesis and characterisation of novel polymers, bioglass / ceramics, polymer composites, nanomaterials, and nanocomposites.
Design, manufacture and characterisation of multifunctional implantsÌýand scaffolds for tissue construction and regeneration, assisted drug discovery & delivery, biosensors and devices.
Design, manufacturing and characterisation of nano-vehicles and 3D models for drug discovery and delivery with controlled release
Biofunctionalization and modifying the physicochemical properties of materials to direct desirable biological interactions and guide the fate of cells / stem cells.
Clinical translation
Preclinical assessments of cell therapy, nanomedicine, implants and devices.
Clinical trials of implants and devices.
Our research areas include
Design and syntheses of novel biomaterials
Functional elastomers and nanocomposites
Degradable natural and synthetic hydrogels
Bioactive bioglass and bioceramics
Multi-functional nanoparticles, nanocomplex and nanofibres.
Tissue engineering for tissue regeneration and drug discovery
Design and fabrication of scaffolds for both soft and hard tissue regeneration including bone, breast, cartilage, cornea, heart valve, maxillofacial, muscle, nerves, tendon, skin, hair follicle, vascular vessels etc
3D tissue / disease models for drug discovery and high-throughput drug screening.
Understanding the biomaterial - biological interface
Regulation and direction cell / stem cell fate by ECM and ECM-mimics at multiple scales
Dynamic microenvironment and responsive scaffolds for guiding cell/stem cell niche.
Nanomaterials and scaffolds for targeted drug delivery with controlled release
Regulation and direction cell / stem cell fate by ECM and ECM-mimics at multiple scales
Dynamic microenvironment and responsive scaffolds for guiding cell/stem cell niche.
Biomanufacturing
3D printing scaffolds for both soft and hard tissue regeneration
3D bioprinting cell-laden synthetic tissues/organs
Electrospun nano-fibrous scaffolds for tissue regeneration
Acoustic atomiser for surface coating of implants and scaffolds
Design and production of nanoparticles
Development of novel bio-fabrication techniques and processes: 3D rotational printer, electrospinning and coagulation extrusion.
Implantable biosensors, electronics and devices
Piezoelectric nanofibre-based acoustic biosensors for cochlea implants
Implantable electrochemical biosensors
Soft stents and robotics for respiratory devices
Stimuli-responsive soft actuators and roboticsÌý
3D printed personalised devices for surgical reconstruction and assisted cell therapy.
Our facilities
We have state-of-the-art facilities for synthesis, process, and physico-chemical and biological characterisation and imaging. These include an imaging suite containing TEM, SEM, AFM, confocal and 3D digital microscopy,Ìýa polymer chemistry laboratory and biomanufacturing laboratory equipped with commercial and custom-made 3D printers and bioprinters, electrospinning / electro-spraying equipment, and vascular graft coagulation extrusion housed within a GMP/GLP environment.
Prof. Xuetong Zhang Royal Society Newton Advanced Fellow
Funding / Partnerships
There are several on-going projects in different stages of clinical and preclinical studies. These include cardiovascular grafts and stents, soft tubular organs, muscle, artificial cornea, cartilage and bone tissue engineering, chronic wound healing materials, artificial cochlea, breast implants, maxillofacial implants and light responsive soft robotics.
Funding is provided by theÌýEPSRC, BBSRC, MRC, Royal Society, Wellcome Trust, Bone Cancer Research Trust, Osteoarthritis UK, British Heart Foundation, Royal Free Charity and industry.
Select publications
Song, W. (2022). . Nature,Ìý603, 585-586.
Cheesbrough, A., Sciscione, F., Darbyshire, A., Song, W., et al. (2022). . Advanced Materials, 34 (18), 2110441.
Rezaei, A., Li, Y., Turmaine, M., Bertazzo, S., Jell, G., et al. (2022). . Scientific Reports, 12 (1), 13944.
Georgi, M., Morka, N., Patel, S., Kazzazi, D., Tsui, J., et al. (2022). . Journal of Surgical Education.
Zhu, G. H., Azharuddin, M., Islam, R., Patra, H.K., et al. (2021). . ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.
Viola, G., Chang, J., Maltby, T., Steckler, F., Song, W., et al. (2020). . ACS Appl Mater Interfaces.
Li, G., Hong, G., Dong, D., Song, W., & Zhang, X. (2018). . Advanced Materials.
Wu, L., Liu, C., Darbyshire, A., Loizidou, M., Emberton, M., Song, W., et al. (2018). . Biomaterials,ÌýVol. 186, Dec.Ìý64-79.