Darren Svirskis

I’m a New Zealand registered Pharmacist and completed my PhD at the University of Auckland in 2011. I lead a research team that use biomaterials to communicate with and modify body functions through microelectrode arrays and the intelligent delivery of drugs. The technologies my team develop are used in implantable medical devices to answer fundamental research questions and to treat injury and disease.

My team’s research has demonstrated the ability of conducting polymer coatings to improve the performance of sensing and stimulating bio-electrodes. We also use conducting polymers for the electrically tuneable delivery of drugs. The current application for this research is in developing new treatments for spinal cord injury. In collaboration with the University of Freiburg, Germany, we are developing a bioelectronic implant that can be positioned directly on the spinal cord to enhance regeneration of damaged tissue.

A second key research area is our expertise in releasing drugs in a controlled fashion from a range of injectable and implantable platforms. We focus on improving patient outcomes following major surgery. For example, the localised and extended delivery of local anaesthetics is intended to relieve pain and reduce the need for opiates following surgery. With Queen’s University Belfast, UK, we have developed intellectual property to increase and stabilise the amount of drug that can be delivered from polymer matrices and are currently seeking to commercialise this technology.

My multidisciplinary research team seeks to address currently unmet health demands. I am committed to achieving real world translation of my research to make a difference to people’s health and wellbeing.

For more information on Darren Svirskis’s research and publications click HERE

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