Translation of remote control regenerative technologies for bone repair

The role of biomechanical stimuli, or mechanotransduction, in normal bone homeostasis and repair is understood to facilitate effective osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro. Mechanotransduction has been integrated into a multitude of in vitro bone tissue engineering strategies and provides an effective means of controlling cell behaviour towards therapeutic outcomes. However, the delivery of mechanical stimuli to exogenous MSC populations, post implantation, poses a significant translational hurdle. Here, we describe an innovative bio-magnetic strategy, MICA, where magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are used to remotely deliver mechanical stimuli to the mechano-receptor, TREK-1, resulting in activation and downstream signalling via an external magnetic array. In these studies, we have translated MICA to a pre-clinical ovine model of bone injury to evaluate functional bone repair. We describe the development of a magnetic array capable of in vivo MNP manipulation and subsequent osteogenesis at equivalent field strengths in vitro. We further demonstrate that the viability of MICA-activated MSCs in vivo is unaffected 48 hrs post implantation. We present evidence to support early accelerated repair and preliminary enhanced bone growth in MICA-activated defects within individuals compared to internal controls. The variability in donor responses to MICA-activation was evaluated in vitro revealing that donors with poor osteogenic potential were most improved by MICA-activation. Our results demonstrate a clear relationship between responders to MICA in vitro and in vivo. These unique experiments offer exciting clinical applications for cell-based therapies as a practical in vivo source of dynamic loading, in real-time, in the absence of pharmacological agents

A Constructivist Approach to Climate Change Teaching and Learning

Copyright © 1999-2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Journal compilation © 2009 Institute of Australian GeographersIt is now broadly acknowledged that climate change due to an enhanced Greenhouse Effect is underway and such change will have major implications for our societies and environments. This paper outlines a pedagogical approach devised to encourage learning and critical thinking about climate change. A constructivist approach to teaching and learning is applied to stimulate analysis of potential impacts of climate change on systems familiar to secondary school students in South Australia. The problem-based method guides students through a conceptualisation of the implications of environmental change. Students at Woodcroft College, when given the opportunity to examine the potential climate change impacts on a local coastal ecosystem, found the method to be both challenging and engaging. The exercise concluded with students discussing possible personal behavioural and broader societal responses to reduce the impacts of future climate change. The paper contends that such teaching to support students to become resilient young adults will be vital in a future world of environmental riskDouglas K. Bardsley and Annette M. Bardsle

Defining spaces of resilience within the neoliberal paradigm: could French land use classifications guide support for risk management within an Australian regional context?

An effective response to future risk within socioecosystems will require the retention of local diversity, not just in more vulnerable communities on the margins but also in regions vital to industrialised countries. A case study is presented that examines agroecosystem vulnerability to climate change within an Australian multifunctional rural landscape adjacent to the city of Adelaide. The dominant neoliberal governance approach is struggling to account for the levels of risk apparent in the region, even though there is considerable evidence that changes in policy and practice are required. Land use planning mechanisms can explicitly and implicitly support adaptation to risk within vital agroecosystems by defining spaces of complexity and experimentation. A review of French land use policy suggests that appropriate classifications can facilitate support for local diversity and broaden the capacity of farming systems to adapt to risk. Such classifications of spaces valuable for socio-ecological resilience and innovation could become vital tools to integrate into neoliberal governance systems to support anticipatory adaptation to future socio-ecological risk.Douglas K. Bardsley and Pierre Pec