Professor Ruth Cameron

Ice templating 3D environments for the control of tissue growth

We are using ice templating techniques to create materials that mimic the complex orientational and spatial anisotropy of natural tissue, and that impart defined biochemical and mechanical cues.  This is enabling us to develop bespoke cellular environments for clinical contexts including cardiac, dental and orthopaedic repair, cancer research and diagnosis, and blood cell production.

Biodegradable polymers and composites

We are exploring the intricate temporal and spatial relationships between the processing and morphology of the material, the diffusion rates of water, drug and degradation products, the degradation rate of the polymer and ultimate properties. An understanding of these factors allows informed device design. Our study of composites ranges from the micro co-continuous to the nano-scale, for orthoapedic and other tissue repair.

Biostable implants

In many surgical applications, the implant material must not change over time within the challenging environment of the body.  Issues we addressing include those spinal and cardiac surgery.

Drug delivery and pharmaceutics

We have interests relating to drug delivery to the body including drug polymorphism, tablet design and inhalation delivery systems.