Wollongong plays an important role in new centre announced by Prime Minister

Apr 14, 2005

The University of Wollongong's Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) will provide selected bionic materials for The Bionic Ear Institute's world's first Australian Centre for Medical Bionics and Hearing Science announced by Prime Minister John Howard. The announcement came at the celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the first bionic ear implanted in a child.

The Prime Minister said that the Federal Government would contribute $5 million towards the new centre. The government's contribution will assist in raising further funds for important research into new generation Bionic Ears and hearing aids, nerve and spinal repair, coronary artery disease and epilepsy.

IPRI is the leading partner and main administrative centre for the Australian Research Council Centre for Nanostructured Electromaterials. The centre involves a partnership between IPRI, The Bionic Ear Institute's Australian Centre for Medical Bionics and Hearing Science, Monash University, Massey University and the University of Akron.

The inventor of the Australian Bionic Ear, Professor Graeme Clark, has heralded the building of a new Bionic Ear to give deaf children near-normal hearing, using a range of new technologies including 'smart plastic'.Professor Clark said he was looking forward to the Centre becoming a leader in a range of Bionic therapies, and working with researchers from a number of organisations, such as those from the University of Wollongong. Bionic Ear researchers last year used natural nerve growth factors to prevent damaged nerve cells from degenerating, and induced them to grow again.

IPRI scientists have discovered how to make a 'smart plastic' coating which can be applied to the bionic ear electrode to control movement and provide controlled release capabilities. IPRI Director, Professor Gordon Wallace, said a small electric current causes the plastic to release a growth factor (protein) in a controlled manner.

"The electric current and growth factor work together to help protect and regenerate the nerves in the inner ear. We may even be able to control the direction of regrowth - train the nerves so to speak," Professor Wallace said.Professor Wallace highlighted how the same technology has the potential for spinal cord repair.

He said researchers at both the Bionic Ear Institute and the University of Wollongong were investigating the use of 'smart plastic' to provide a scaffold between severed sections of the spine.

Media please note: Professor Gordon Wallace and his fellow researchers will demonstrate the latest remarkable developments in cochlear ear implant technology in his laboratory (Intelligent Polymer Research Institute), first floor, Sciences Building (Bldg 41a) at 10.30am today (Thursday 14 April). Further information contact Professor Wallace on (02) 4221 3127.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128