Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery (BOBIM)
Overview
The Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery (BOBIM) was established in 1970 with the twin aims of providing expertise in reconstructive microsurgery and postgraduate training of surgeons in such techniques. Under Professor Wayne Morrison, the BOBIM has expanded into the area of basic scientific research and has recruited high calibre staff in the fields of tissue engineering and cancer research.
The research activities of the Institute have focussed on the following areas of investigation:
- Tissue engineering: The growing of human tissue for use in transplantation and surgical reconstruction. This is the main focus of our research efforts at the Institute and we are internationally recognised for our achievements. We are particularly focussed on vascularised adipose tissue, and have developed novel hydrogels to effect this.
- Inflammation: Our studies aim to discover the molecular mechanisms underlying macrophage functions since knowledge of fundamental biological processes will ultimately result in better treatment of patients following trauma and surgery.
- Nerve repair and regeneration: The Jack Brockhoff Laboratory is dedicated to researching the mechanisms by which injured nerves and muscles regenerate. We are also exploring anti-fibrotic strategies to avoid scaring in tissue engineering and tendon repair.
- Blood vessel biology: Successful outcomes for surgery depend upon a good blood supply to nourish repaired and transplanted tissue. We are trying to get a better idea of how blood vessels develop in new tissue, and how to manipulate blood vessels.
- Urological Cancers: Very few human prostate cancer cell lines exist and, in collaboration with Onyvax, Inc., we are developing new ones. We also have developed novel models for osteosclerotic bone metastasis from both prostate and bladder carcinomas. Characterisation of these models may provide important leads for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
Seeking commercialisation partners
Core Business Definition
Medical Services.
Number of employees: 60
Competitive Advantages
The Institute has successfully developed and patented a process for growing new vascularised tissue in an animal model. Together with our collaborators, we hope to adapt this new technology to humans within the next 5 years. We have also developed and patented a novel extracellular matrix hydrogel from muscle, useful in tissue engineering.
We were also successful in attracting a sizeable contract from Onyvax, Inc., (UK) for the generation of new prostate cancer cell lines which may be used in prostate cancer vaccines. We have also generated in house novel prostate cancer xenografts suitable for licensing for bone metastasis programs.
Direct links to clinical practice—the Institute Director is Chief of Plastic Surgery and 4-5 clinical Fellows train each year in the clinic and the laboratory.
Potential for expansion with an entire floor ready to be outfitted.
Modern, well-equipped facilities, including large animal facility.
Technology/IP
Proprietary tissue engineering chamber and ECM extracts with potential for application to multiple tissue types.
Corporate Alliances/Partnerships
Partnering Opportunities
Partnership for the development and commercialisation of specific tissue engineering outcomes in our chamber (eg. adipose tissue for defect repair).
Partnering Needs
Commercialisation know-how and infrastructure support
Contact Details
| Contact person | Professor Wayne A. Morrison |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Director |
| Address | 42 Fitzroy Street |
| City/Suburb | Fitzroy |
| State | Victoria |
| wayne.morrison@svhm.org.au | |
| Phone | +61 3 9288 4018 |
| Fax | +61 3 9416 0926 |
| Website | http://www.bobim.org |
