Tim Dargaville

The inspiration behind Prof Dargaville's research is the development of new polymers and fabricated devices to help solve a number of important biomedical challenges. He has published >100 papers including 5 book chapters and made important contributions to the field of materials science and polymer chemistry.

His areas of expertise include surface modification of polymers (PhD studies), effects of high energy radiation on polymers (post-doctoral position), synthesis of polymers for biomaterials as implant devices, hydrogels for 3D cell culture and drug delivery devices (all part of current position at QUT). Skills include polymer synthesis, polymer characterisation (a full suite of spectroscopic and analytical techniques), cell toxicity assays (e.g. to measure cytocompatibility of polymers with cells), and in vivo and ex vivo integration (using animal and ex vivo skin models to test biomaterial performance, integration and immune response).

He is a consultant to hospitals, government laboratories and large/small companies in the areas of materials testing and new formulations. He is a member of the QUT Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry and Physics, QUT Centre for Materials Science, and a lead investigator in the ARC Training Centre for Cell and Tissue Engineering Technologies.