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Research Highlights Clem Jones Centre banner

Clem Jones Research Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Therapies (CJRC)

The Clem Jones Research Centre for Stem Cells & Tissue Regenerative Therapies (CJRC) focuses on developing novel technologies to grow diseased or damaged tissue anew while using the patient’s own adult stem cells. The CJCR’s main areas of focus are to cure degenerative diseases such as macular degeneration of the eye and to develop treatments for defects of skin, nerve tissue, bones and joints due to disease or surgery.

The Director of the centre, Professor Patrick Warnke, has previously led the prestigious multinational stem cell and tissue engineering network “MyJoint” for the European Union. The scientists of the CJRC have been recruited from superb stem cell research locations such as Harvard University, USA, and the Australian Stem Cell Centre.

The CJRC’s goal is to design perfect-fit replacement tissue for patients using the latest nanotechnologies and rapid prototyping methods for stem cell integration and control.

The Centre’s major projects include:

  • Macular Degeneration Clem Cell Project
  • Nanotechnology Project
  • Live stem cell imaging
  • Stem cell seeded artificial Nano-Skin for skin cancer sufferers
  • Neural stem cell and neural tissue regeneration project

During 2011 the Centre had a range of achievements including:

  • The preparation phase for the Centre was completed and the CLEMCELL project is well operating now. This included laboratory space inside the Faculty of Health Sciences and the purchase of relevant equipment items such as laser and electron microscopes required for imaging of retina cells and architecture.
  • The CLEMCELL project and the CJRC both have been integrated into the scientific networks of Australian and Queensland Top Universities, such as the prestigious Cell Reprogramming Australia (CRA) group originating from the Australian Stem Cell Centre, the Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology at UQ and also International Associations such as TERMIS (Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society).
  • We have several stem cell lines in our stem cell bank now. We have also set up a new program to produce our own stem cells from various “patient-friendly” sources. We put into place the technology and gained knowledge to perform cellular DNA reprogramming in order to “refresh” ordinary cells back to stem cells (iPSC: induced Pluripotent Stem Cells). Apart from this, Dr. Bob Bourke, Retinal Surgeon, is working together with us to generate retinal precursor (stem) cells directly from discarded eye tissue. This will be a further focus for the future.
  • The first stem cell protocols for expansion and processing with subsequent cryoconservation (ultradeep freezing) are established now. The facilities are set up for our stem cell bank and are operating. Further stem cell lines will be prepared and stored.
  • The nanotechnology lab is operating and first nanofibrous membranes have been produced. Further membranes from different materials are to come.
  • First cell cultures on our membranes have already been successful. This was a remarkable breakthrough for the project already in these early stages. We will now fine-tune the membranes and integrate growth factors to create retinal tissue from these cells.
  • During 2011 the Centre also had numerous publications, editor role and book chapters and two Medical patents:
    • Warnke, Gehr: Nanofibrous coating of titanium implants. Prov Patent., Oct 2011
    • Warnke PH: Nanowebbing of nanofibres for skin replacement matrix and uses thereof. Prov Patent, Oct 2011

Find out more about the Clem Jones Research Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Therapies