AI Atlas for Biomaterial Responses

Implanted biomaterials are transforming regenerative medicine, yet we still cannot reliably predict whether a material will promote healing or trigger inflammation, fibrosis or implant failure. This PhD project will develop a multidimensional Implant–Body Interaction Atlas to uncover how material properties shape the biological response to implants over time. By integrating spatial transcriptomics, single-cell multi-omics, quantitative imaging and biomaterial data, the project will map interactions between implanted materials and immune, stromal, vascular and tissue-resident cells.

Explainable artificial intelligence will then identify biological signatures and material features associated with successful tissue integration and predict responses to new biomaterial designs. These predictions will be experimentally tested using advanced biomaterial and tissue models developed through an international collaboration between UNSW and the University of Würzburg. Ultimately, the project aims to establish design principles for safer, smarter and more effective regenerative biomaterials for applications including wound healing, cardiovascular regeneration and soft-tissue repair.