Project description

POP is the herniation of pelvic organs, specifically the uterus, bladder and bowel into the vagina and outside the body. This biomechanical failure primarily arises from birth injuries, such as overstretching or tearing of the main pelvic support structures: suspensory ligaments, pelvic floor muscles and vaginal wall. Symptoms include a vaginal bulge and obstruction of pelvic organs leading to urinary, faecal and sexual dysfunction. The problem is profound yet largely hidden: POP affects 1 in 2 parous women aged 50+ years and 1 in 4 women across all ages who often suffer in silence due to social stigma and embarrassment. Acute pelvic tissue injury from instrumental delivery such as forceps, prolonged second stage labour, large infant birth weight, anal sphincter laceration and episiotomy lead to POP. About 1 in 5 women suffering from POP require pelvic reconstructive surgery. Until recently, non degradable meshes made of polypropylene were commonly used to mitigate the high failure rates of native tissue repair. However, these led to adverse effects and complications. Therefore, such transvaginal meshes are now completely banned in many countries including Australia.

At present, there is no optimal strategy or therapy to cure POP. There is a clear unmet need. To address this critical issue, we are developing the next generation of surgical devices using nanotechnology and 3D printing that involve highly regenerative therapeutic cells with the goal of advancing women’s urogynaecological health.

This project will look into the design of 3D printing of cells and polymers to achieve a surgical construct and evaluate its suitability using pre-clinical ovine models, medical genomics and advanced imaging technologies. Our team involves engineers, biomedical scientists, surgeons, chemists and biophysicists. We welcome students from diverse academic backgrounds to participate and contribute to the project in aspects which interests them the most.