In the video below, Prof. James Hudson reflects on how his team’s cardiac bioengineering research has progressed from fundamental discovery through to commercial translation, resulting in the creation of two spin-out companies, Dynomics and Ibnova Therapeutics.
Dynomics is developing advanced human cardiac tissue platforms that improve the accuracy of drug screening and disease modelling. Ibnova Therapeutics is advancing cardiac patch technologies designed to repair damaged heart tissue. Together, these innovations point to new ways of understanding heart disease and improving patient outcomes.
This translation journey has been supported by expertise and infrastructure delivered through the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). Multiple NCRIS-enabled capabilities have contributed along the pathway from early research to emerging products, including Microscopy Australia, Therapeutic Innovation Australia, the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF), and Phenomics Australia.
At Microscopy Australia’s University of Queensland facility, the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, advanced imaging has played a critical role. Working with Prof. Hudson’s team, Prof. Rob Parton applied high-resolution microscopy techniques to reveal the nanoscale structure of engineered cardiac tissues, often in three dimensions. These insights provided a deeper understanding of how the tissues were formed and functioning, helping to guide their optimisation and development.
This ability to see and understand biological structures at the nanoscale is essential to translating bioengineered systems into viable technologies. By making these structures visible, microscopy helps researchers refine designs, validate performance and move more confidently towards real-world application.
As NCRIS marks 20 years of enabling Australian research, this story highlights the role of national research infrastructure in helping discoveries progress beyond the lab and towards new therapies, new companies, and meaningful health outcomes. Microscopy Australia’s facility at The University of Queensland is supported by the Australian Government through NCRIS, the Queensland Government Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, and The University of Queensland.
May 26, 2026
