How interdisciplinary research and partnerships transform healthcare
University of Melbourne biomedical engineering and medical technology research is transforming healthcare. The first Graeme Clark Institute symposium in November 2023 underscored the importance of interdisciplinary research and partnerships with industry and government to innovation.
Australia is thriving in biomedical engineering and medical technology. It is home to innovations like the HPV vaccine and folic acid fortification.
“We are now in a new frontier of innovation – which also brings the responsibility and obligation to learn from the past and do better,” said Science and Technology Australia Vice President, Associate Professor Anita Goh, as keynote speaker of the first Graeme Clark Institute symposium in November 2023.
Homogeneous groups of designers lead to technologies like the pulse oximeter, which doesn’t work correctly for darker skin tones, she said. Diversity, inclusion and equity are needed to benefit all patients.
“You are the future of biomedical engineering and MedTech. Your innovations can heal bodies but also heal the disparities in healthcare that exist,” Associate Professor Goh said to the researchers, students and industry and government representatives who gathered for the symposium.
Interdisciplinary collaboration makes innovation possible
When inventor of the multi-channel cochlear implant Professor Graeme Clark was conducting his research, biomedical researchers and clinicians were neatly divided by discipline.
But the bionic ear brought them together. Cochlear continues to combine industrial and academic research, having remained a market leader for the last 40 years.
Professor Clark said that research presented at the Graeme Clark Institute symposium showed what can be achieved through partnerships.
“The GCI Symposium on biomedical engineering and MedTech innovations was an outstanding success in highlighting progress in healthcare research at the University of Melbourne’s precinct,” he said.
“The keynote speaker Associate Professor Anita Goh and all presenters emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary research and it being focused on clinical and industrial outcomes.”
Revolutionising the future of biomedical engineering and MedTech innovations
University of Melbourne leaders presented their research in the first half of the symposium:
- Associate Professor Georgina Such discussed the design of stimuli-responsive nanoparticles for customised therapeutic delivery
- Professor Anthony Burkitt presented electrical stimulation strategies for improving acuity in retinal implants
- Associate Professor Misty Jenkins AO discussed the new era of personalised cellular therapies using biomedical engineering
- Professor Mary Galea presented her work on neuromodulation and rehabilitation after nervous system injury.
Leaders from Graeme Clark Institute industry partners 4DMedical and Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery gave presentations in the afternoon. They were joined by government partners from the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Centre and Breakthrough Victoria.
“The Graeme Clark Institute symposium is an event that reminds you why we do medical research, why we innovate and the impact that we can have,” said 4DMedical Director of Government and Research Strategy, Professor Tim O’Meara.
“What is really breathtaking is when you look up and see so many smart and dedicated younger versions of Professor Clark who have been inspired and are committed to making a difference. When you talk to them around the posters or over a break, you realise Australian MedTech has a really bright future.”
Graduate researcher Mara Quach won the student poster competition with a poster about her research in chemical exchange saturation transfer. Dulani Sooriyaaratchi and Joseph Bartlett were named joint runners-up.
“We’ve been very pleased to receive glowing feedback on the inaugural Graeme Clark Institute symposium,” said Graeme Clark Institute Centre Manager Minh Nguyen.
“The key goal of events hosted by the Graeme Clark Institute is to bring together the biomedical engineering and MedTech community to share knowledge, foster collaborations and explore potential opportunities for partnerships and joint funding.”
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The Graeme Clark Institute is shaping the future of healthcare with medical technology solutions that deliver health, societal and economic benefits to Australia and the world.
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