Prof Benjamin Thierry
Research Leader at the Future Industries Institute
He is a NHMRC Investigator Fellow and the Head of the South Australian Node of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio and Nano Science and Technology (CBNS). He received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from McGill University in 2004 and has since received prestigious awards, including two Career Development Fellowships. He was awraded in 2020 a NHMRC Investigator Fellowships (Addressing Healthcare Disparities in Remote and Low Resource Settings with Solid-State Biodiagnostic Devices).
Prof Thierry leads the translational Bioengineering group which aims to develop and implement novel biodiagnostic and prognostic technologies and is currently involved in several clinical translation/commercialization activities. A significant outcome of his research has been the development of a patented cancer staging diagnostic technology that has received substantial commercial interest and investment through a spin-off company, Ferronova Pty Ltd. Ferronova has raised over $3.5 million in 2020 to fund several on-going clinical trials in Australia and the US. Another significant research focus is the development of biodiagnostic technologies aimed at improving prenatal care, especially in rural and low-ressource settings. In close collaboration with industry partners and clinicians, he is leading a comprehensive research program aimed at enabling better detection and treatment of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and pre-term birth. He co-founded SanguisDx in 2020 to accelerate the development of his solid-state diagnostic platform. He has also developed and patented a technology aimed at enabling comprehensive non-invasive prenatal genetic testing, which is currently being developed through a NHMRC Development Grant.
With the support of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio and Nano Science, Prof Thierry leads a research program oaimed at the development of next-generation in vitro organ and disease models, including models based on "organs-on-chips" concept and 3D Bioprinting. A specific focus is on patients derived tumour-on-chip models that recapitulate the tumour microenvironment. These models are being used to assist in the development of better cancer therapeutics, including based on ionizing radiation and immunotherapy.
