'It's exciting that the tools we are developing can be used by researchers across the world and many different disciplines. I hope these tools will lead to new discoveries.'
The spark
'There are still so many unanswered questions, both in developmental biology and in human health and disease. We need better tools to answer these questions and most importantly, to improve patients' lives.'
Research aim
'Using bioengineered methods to culture human cells and tissues presents a unique capability for understanding many tissue-specific processes including formation, function and failure in disease, previously unattainable in traditional models.'
Real-world implications
'The ability to accurately model human health and disease in the lab should lead to more predictive drug efficacy and safety testing, as well as the development of novel treatments.'
The challenge
'Despite significant investment in drug development, as many as 90% of drug candidates fail in clinical trials. Therefore, we need more effective ways of identifying and developing new drugs.'
Key collaborators
'Our research would not be possible without the ability to work together in collaboration with our academic, clinical and industry partners. I love the colleagues I work with and the great minds I get to bounce ideas off. I have ideas, but they are made better by the people I work with.'
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden
- Biotechnology Center, Technical University of Dresden
- Boston University
- Monash University
- University of Queensland (UQ)
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR)
- Mater Hospital
- ZetaScience
- TissueGUARD
- Gelomics
Key achievements
- ARC Future Fellowship (2021)
- ARC Training Centre for Cell and Tissue Engineering Technologies (2019)
- Queensland Young Tall Poppy Award – Australian Institute of Policy and Science (2020)
Key publications
Koch MK, Ravichandran A, Murekatete B, Clegg J, Joseph MT, Hampson M, Jenkinson M, Bauer H, Snell C, Liu C, Gough M, Thompson EW, Werner C, Hutmacher DW, Haupt LM, Bray LJ. Exploring the potential of PEG-Heparin hydrogels to support long-term ex vivo culture of patient-derived breast explant tissues. Adv Health Mater 2023:2202202.
Koch MK, Jaeschke A, Murekatete B, Ravichandran A, Tsurkan MV, Werner C, Soon P, Hutmacher DW, Haupt LM, Bray LJ. Stromal fibroblasts regulate microvascular-like network architecture in a bioengineered breast tumour angiogenesis model. Acta Biomater 2020;114:256-269.
Bray LJ, Binner M, Holzheu A, Friedrichs J, Freudenberg U, Hutmacher DW, Werner C. Multi-parametric hydrogels support 3D in vitro bioengineered microenvironment models of tumour angiogenesis. Biomaterials 2015;53:609-620.
