THE BIONIC EAR INSTITUTE 08 · 2018-02-23 · The Bionic Ear Institute in conjunction with the...

07 08THE BIONIC EAR INSTITUTE

22nd Annual Report 2007-2008

384-388 Albert StreetEast Melbourne Victoria 3002 Australia

T +61 3 9667 7500 F +61 3 9667 7518E [email protected] www.bionicear.org

ABN 56 006 580 883ACN 006 580 883

OUR VISIONOUR MISSION

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OUR VISION

The Bionic Ear Institute will become the world’s pre-eminent Medical Bionics Institute.

OUR MISSION

We will bring together talented and focussed people in a multidisciplinary research environment, encompassing the biological, physical, engineering and clinical sciences. We will capture the imagination of Australia’s brightest students and reinvigorate our community’s passion for science. We will inspire the next generation of researchers by having a unique program that provides an exciting pathway from secondary school, through university and into postgraduate research. We will focus on the pursuit of fundamental science and work in collaboration with commercialisation partners to ensure our scientific developments lead to commercially viable products and services that will improve the health of Australians.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2

DIRECTOR’S REPORT 3

RESEARCH REPORT 6 Bionic Ear and Beyond 7 Drug Delivery Systems 19 Bionic Eye 24 Intelligent Implants and Neurological Applications 26 Bionic Technologies Australia 28

PUBLICATIONS 30

EDUCATION 36

SUPPORTING OUR RESEARCH 38

BOARD MEMBERS 40

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 41

STAFF MEMBERS 42

TREASURER’S REPORT 44

SUMMARISED FINANCIAL REPORT 45

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 47

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE BIONIC EAR INSTITUTE? 48

CONTENTS

1BEI ANNUAL REPORT 07-08

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

instigate a flexible structure of project leadership to enhance imaginative science; ensure high recruitment standards and ongoing professional support to enhance the retention of staff. We thank the Bionic Ear Institute Scientific Advisory Committee for their timely review.

I am pleased to report that in November 2008, The Bionic Ear Institute will be hosting the inaugural conference ‘Medical Bionics - a new paradigm for human health’. This is an important global conference and considerable effort has gone into organising this event, with the ultimate aim of bringing together researchers from varied disciplines to support the creation of innovative health solutions with medical bionic devices.

I thank Professor Rob Shepherd for his excellent leadership and congratulate the Institute’s wonderful staff, and my fellow Directors for their achievements and contribution to the growth of the Institute over the last twelve months. I would particularly like to commend Dr Ben Wei who received the 2008 Premiers Award for Health and Medical Research.

I acknowledge the valued support of our donors, ambassadors, volunteers, corporate and community supporters without whose help we could not achieve our medical research outcomes. I also thank Rotary International District 9790 and Woodards Real Estate who have worked hard throughout the year to promote the Institute and raise funds towards our medical research.

On behalf of my Board colleagues I thank all our supporters who make the important work of our researchers possible.

Gerry Moriarty AMFTSE, FIEAust FAICDChairman

WELCOME TO THE BIONIC EAR INSTITUTE’S 22ND ANNUAL REPORT

This year has been one of many important accomplishments. Our dedicated multidisciplinary research teams have made significant steps towards translational research advances so that laboratory-based discoveries will result in applicable health solutions. In collaboration with our research partners, we have continued to achieve beneficial outcomes in the core area of fundamental hearing research as well as in the broader medical bionics field. Significantly, initial advancements have been made in the development of a Bionic Eye which will potentially be capable of restoring reading vision to those with vision impairment. Research encompassing intelligent implants for the central nervous system has progressed well with the aim of developing innovative bionic devices that can deliver an appropriate treatment for conditions such as epilepsy and spinal cord injury.

The Bionic Ear Institute’s commitment to establishing a pre-eminent Medical Bionics Institute has continued this year with an extensive effort spent in planning for the implementation of this vision. Our vision is supported by our core research partner - The University of Melbourne and is strengthened by the Institute’s broad collaborative partnerships, which include: National ICT Australia; St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne), Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital; the Centre for Eye Research Australia; The University of NSW; University of Wollongong; CSIRO, Hear and Say Centre - Queensland; Bionic Technologies Australia; Cochlear Ltd; The Hearing Cooperative Research Centre and Living Cell Technologies.

The inaugural Bionic Ear Institute Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting held in May assisted the Director and the Board in setting and reviewing both strategic and research directions of the Institute. The SAC commended the BEI staff, highlighting that their commitment and quality are the main assets of the Institute. On the recommendation of the SAC, plans are now in place to: implement mechanisms to improve funding outcomes;

2 BEI ANNUAL REPORT 07-08

The Bionic Ear Institute in conjunction with the Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research in the UK held a very successful conference at Lorne in July 2007 to honour the retirement of Professor Dexter Irvine. The conference was attended by approximately 85 national and international delegates. I am delighted to report that Prof. Irvine continues his research and mentoring activities at the BEI in a part-time capacity.

The Bionic Ear Institute is honoured to host the inaugural conference ‘Medical Bionics - a new paradigm for human health’ in November 2008. Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, announced the conference to 60 guests at a special launch event. This conference will bring together a wide range of eminent and early career researchers working in the diverse field of medical bionics. Although they will travel from all regions of the world and bring expertise from disciplines as diverse as biotechnology, engineering, ICT, polymer science, nanotechnology and medicine, there will be one aim that unites all those attending the conference - to search for solutions to the human health challenges of the future. This conference is part of the Sir Mark Oliphant Conferences – International Frontiers of Science and Technology and is supported by the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Government, Department of Education Science and Training.

Relationships

The Bionic Ear Institute places upmost importance on the relationship with its research collaborators. These partnerships will continue to result in quality research outcomes resulting in innovative health solutions and commercialisation opportunities. The University of Melbourne is a core partner in the Institute’s research, more specifically the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Life Sciences and the School of Engineering. St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne) is our core clinical partner including the Centre for Neurosciences and Neurological Research. Our other collaborators include: National ICT Australia; Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital; the Centre for Eye Research Australia; Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering-University of NSW; Intelligent Polymer Research Institute-University of Wollongong; CSIRO - Divisions of Molecular and Health Technologies and Textile and Fibre Technology and the Hear and Say Centre - Queensland. Our commercialisation collaborators include: Bionic Technologies Australia; Cochlear Ltd; The Hearing Cooperative Research Centre and Living Cell Technologies. The Institute will continue to develop a growing network of collaborations both within Australia and internationally.

Medical bionics is the replacement, enhancement or monitoring of damaged organs through engineered devices that interface with the human body. The Bionic Ear Institute (BEI) is building on its strength encompassing decades of multidisciplinary research experience in the field of cochlear implants and is focussing its research in four key research areas aiming to produce new medical bionic devices. These key areas include: a Bionic Eye; nanotechnology based targeted drug delivery systems; intelligent brain implants and high fidelity Bionic Ears. The research required to achieve these goals is complex and specialised; whilst we bring a number of important platform technologies to these projects we recognise that the goals will only be achieved with effective collaborative partnerships across a number of disciplines. The BEI has achieved outstanding results this year, making significant advancement in research, in forging relationships with key partners, achieving significant grant success from peer-reviewed funding bodies, government and the philanthropic community.

Research

Quality peer-reviewed publications are the hallmark of any dynamic research institute as they reflect our contribution to knowledge in our fields of research. Collectively, one book chapter and 32 peer-reviewed journal articles were published by Institute staff and students over the last 12 months. In particular I would like to highlight Dr Ben Wei’s research letter which was published in the medical journal The Lancet in September 2007. The Lancet is one of the oldest peer-reviewed medical journals in the world, with a large readership. The article, co-authored with Prof. Stephen O’Leary and Prof. Richard Dowell, and titled “Cochlear implantation: one or two?” was an analysis of the additional benefits provided by two cochlear implants over implantation of one ear only. I am pleased to report that 11 invited papers were delivered by BEI staff at conferences over the past 12 months. In addition to these invited presentations Institute staff contributed to more than 40 conference proceedings over the year. These publications and presentations are described in detail in our publications section.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT


Presentations & Awards

Our staff and students continue to be recognised by their peers for research excellence. Over the past year the following individuals were honoured:

• ProfessorGraemeClarkACwasawardedtheKlausJoachim Zülch Prize, on August 31, 2007, in Cologne, Germany. The Zülch Prize, Germany’s highest honour for neurological research is bestowed by the Gertrud Reemtsma Foundation through the Max Planck Society, is awarded annually to two scientists for outstanding achievements. Professor Clark has shared the award, along with a prize of 50,000 Euros, with US researcher John P. Donoghue for his research in technologies to enable severely paralysed people to use thought alone to operate a variety of assistive devices, such as a computer cursor and a wheelchair.

• DrBenWeireceivedthe2008PremiersAwardforHealth and Medical Research. In conjunction with the Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research, the Jack and Robert Smorgon Families Award was presented to The Bionic Ear Institute.

• Dr.BryonyColemanwasawardedoneofsixVictoriaFellowships in 2007 which enabled her to complete an advanced training course in human stem cell culture before visiting the Harvard Stem Cell Institute in Boston and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. More recently, Dr Coleman was awarded The University of Melbourne Dean’s Award for excellence in a PhD thesis.

• Prof.AnthonyBurkittdeliveredhisinaugurallectureas the Chair of Bio-Signals and Bio-Systems at the Melbourne Engineering Research Institute (MERIT). The lecture was entitled “Bridging engineering & neuroscience: the restoration of impaired neural function”. At this lecture Professor Burkitt outlined his research vision: a program that encompasses cochlear implants, retinal implants, neural modelling, and epilepsy. I congratulate Tony on his appointment and am delighted that he will continue his role as Assistant Director of the BEI in a part-time capacity.

• Prof.StephenO’Learydeliveredhisinaugurallectureas the William Gibson Chair of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. I congratulate Stephen on his appointment; I look forward to our continued collaboration with his research team in the future.

• SeanByrneswasawardedtheInstitute’sHaroldMitchell Post Doctoral Fellowship. Sean attended the Computational Neuroscience Meeting 2008 in

Portland, Oregon. Jacqueline Andrew was awarded the BEI’s Harold Mitchell Postgraduate Student Travelling Fellowship. Jacqueline attended the 45th Inner Ear Biology Workshop in Ferrara, Italy. Both winners also visited a number of laboratories during their travels.

• AtTheUniversityofMelbourne,DepartmentofElectricaland Electronic Engineering’s Endeavour 2007 project exhibition, David Perry was awarded “The Mathworks Prize for Best Final Year Project” for his project entitled “Research Cochlear Implant for Small Laboratory Animals”. David first joined the BEI in 2005 under the supervision of Dr James Fallon as a UROP student. David is continuing his involvement with the Institute as a PhD candidate for the next few years.

• JacquelineAndrew’sentryinthe2007NewScientistEureka Prize for Science Photography was selected as one of the top 25 entries, and as such was included in an Exhibition that opened at the Australian Museum on 1 August 2007 before travelling to venues around Australia until July 2008.

I would like to congratulate all our awardees and their mentors for their outstanding achievements during the year.

Research Funding

Our long standing relationship with the National Institutes of Health (USA) continues with the success of another funding application investigating “The effects of intracochlear electrical stimulation on neural survival and connectivity” (HHS-N-263-2007-00053-C). The 5 year grant of US$2,940,000 was awarded to the Institute and will involve researchers from the BEI and the Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne. The contract also extends our collaborative links with Prof. David Ryugo from Johns Hopkins University and provides funding for Prof. Remy Pujol from the University of Montpellier to work with us in Melbourne. Consultants from the Institute, University of Melbourne and Cochlear Ltd will also contribute to this research. In addition, Dr Justin Tan was awarded a Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation project grant, entitled ”Identifying neurotrophin processing as a potential target to treat sensorineural hearing loss”.

A number of trusts and foundations continue to provide important ongoing support for our research projects this year. The total commitment of funds was just over $2 million. I would like to convey my personal thanks to these trusts and foundations for their ongoing support of the Institute’s research. They are specifically thanked in the acknowledgements section of this annual report.

Premier John Brumby with Dr Ben Wei, winner of the 2008 Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research


The philanthropic sector plays a vital role in funding medical research in Australia and we are most grateful to be able to apply these funds to our research. I would also like to acknowledge the Victorian State Government for their generous support through a State Operational Infrastructure Support Grant. This funding has allowed the Institute to support our research and research staff and in doing so, begin to future proof Australia’s position as a leader in medical bionics.

Donors, Ambassadors, Volunteers and Corporate and Community Supporters

I would like to thank all our individual donors and supporters for their commitment and generosity. I am also extremely grateful to our corporate partners, Macquarie Group, Principals, Woodards Real Estate, and Corporate Image. Without this support we would not be able to continue or initiate new research projects.

Each year we receive wonderful support from our ambassadors and volunteers and I would like to thank them for their help over the past year. In addition to spending many hours as research volunteers and speaking to community groups to promote the Institute, our volunteers help by initiating fundraising and support events.

A special note of thanks to our volunteers and supporters, including some of our dedicated staff members who joined me giving up their valuable leisure time over the Easter weekend. Your presence at our exhibit and amongst the crowds at the Point Nepean Music Festival was greatly appreciated.

The end of 2007 was saddened by the passing of Rod Saunders. In 1978, Rod Saunders was the first person in the world to be implanted with a multichannel cochlear implant and worked with Prof. Clark’s team for many years as an honorary research subject. We are indebted to Rod’s generosity and willingness to be involved in research together with the warmth and friendship he brought to the precinct over nearly three decades.

Our Board and Staff

I would like to acknowledge the Institute’s Board of Directors, led by our Chairman Gerry Moriarty. The Board has made an outstanding contribution to The Bionic Ear Institute, through leadership, governance, passion for our expansion strategy, personal support and through their enthusiastic promotion of our organisation. We are very fortunate and proud to have such a group of talented and enthusiastic individuals leading the Institute. I would particularly like to highlight the significant contribution of our tireless Chairman Gerry Moriarty for his leadership in articulating the Institute’s vision for expansion to our government, research and philanthropic stakeholders. I would like to acknowledge the

continued significant contributions from my Executive team of Tim Griffiths, Professor Anthony Burkitt, Linda Peterson and Peter Gover; and the senior research group of Professor Anthony Burkitt, Professor Mark Cook, Associate Professor Rob Kapsa, Professor Stephen O’Leary and Associate Professor Tony Paolini.

A sincere thank-you to all our staff; the quality of your work is the foundation of the Institute. Providing support to our staff is strongly valued at the BEI and I would like to acknowledge the implementation of the BEI mentoring program, and extend thanks to Susanne Clarke, Helen Woods and Linda Peterson for their efforts in developing a successful program.

The BEI is committed to maintaining the highest standards as a medical research institute. I would like to thank all members of the Scientific Review Committee for their time and valuable contribution. The Scientific Review committee was composed of: Professor Iven Mareels (Chair) Dean, School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne; Professor Hugh McDermott Professor of Auditory Communication and Signal Processing, Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne; Dr. Calum Drummond Chief of CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering; Dr. Annabelle Duncan Director, Science Collaboration for the new Bioscience Research Centre, La Trobe University and Victorian Department of Primary Industries; and Associate Professor Jim Patrick, Chief scientist, Cochlear Limited.

The Coming Year

The Institute has worked on an extensive rebranding process resulting in a new name and new Institute brand which will reflect the broader focus of our research direction; we hope to be able to announce this new name in the near future. The Institute has continued to pursue excellence in medical research by fostering an organisational culture built around the nurturing of scientific excellence and our vision to translate our research into improved health outcomes. This vision is driven by our staff, the Board of the Institute; our research collaborators and our many corporate and individual supporters. The coming year will be both exciting and challenging as we embark on achieving our vision of becoming “the world’s pre-eminent Medical Bionics Institute”. I look forward to working with you to achieve this vision

Professor Robert K ShepherdBSc, DipEd, PhDDirector

The Schauder family, volunteers at the Point Nepean Music Festival



LI AND SOPHIEProfoundly deaf from birth, Sophie Li had her first cochlear implant at four years of age and her second when she was fourteen. Her father, Li Cunxin, is a board director at the Institute.

RESEARCHREPORT


BIONIC EARS AND BEYOND

THE EFFECTS OF INTRACOCHLEAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ON NEURAL SURVIVAL AND CONNECTIVITY

The overall objectives of the NIH funded contract (HHS-N-263-2007-00053-C) are to develop techniques that employ intracochlear electrical stimulation (ICES) and drug administration which can support neural survival and function in order to improve the quality of auditory perception from a multichannel cochlear implant (Bionic Ear). Our goals are threefold; to study the effects of ICES on the developing auditory system for subjects implanted at a young age in order to minimize any delay in auditory stimulation; to examine the effects of ICES on the auditory system over a lifetime of use; and to evaluate the response of the auditory system in adult onset deafness to ICES, and the effect of duration of deafness, using functional, anatomical and behavioral measures.

To achieve these goals we use a systems approach across a number of sub disciplines of neurobiology including electrophysiological, behavioral and neuroanatomical / molecular biological techniques. We have divided our approach into two broad areas of research:

a) Chronic stimulation studies investigating the trophic and plastic response of the deafened auditory pathway to chronic ICES. Studies in this area focus on the role of ICES in shaping both the developing and the mature auditory system. Key outcomes will be a deeper understanding of the effects of ICES on both the spatial and temporal processing ability of the auditory system, and the interaction of these effects with the preceding state of the auditory pathway (i.e. the duration of deafness and developmental state of the auditory pathway).

b) Neurotrophin (NT) studies investigating the trophic and plastic response of the deafened auditory pathway to spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) rescue via ICES and exogenous neurotrophin delivery. The role of exogenous NTs in the rescue of SGN has been well established; therefore, studies in this area focus on developing and using delivery techniques we consider to have potential clinical application. Additionally, we will determine the effects of NT delivery and SGN rescue on the spatial and temporal processing ability of the central auditory system.

A major objective of this work is to apply our findings to the clinical environment. Therefore, while these studies are designed to provide insight into the effects of ICES on neural survival and connectivity across a range of etiologies and animal species, we will be using techniques that are clinically relevant whenever possible.

The effects of temporally challenging ICES on the deafened auditory pathway

The rat provides a useful model to study the effects of temporally challenging ICES on the adult deafened auditory pathway. The small size of the rat cochlea limits the number of intra-cochlea electrodes that can be inserted atraumatically, therefore focusing these studies on the effects of temporally challenging ICES on the temporal processing throughout the central auditory pathway. This is assessed using both electrophysiological and behavioral measures.

This research is supported by the US National Institutes of Health Contract (HHS-N-263-2007-00053-C). The team includes University of Melbourne PhD Student David Perry (supported by a Melbourne Research Scholarship), Mr Rodney Millard, Dr James Fallon, Prof. Rob Shepherd (The Bionic Ear Institute) and Prof. Hugh McDermott (The University of Melbourne).

The application of a Bionic Ear in small animal models

Mutations in specific genes account for approximately 50% of childhood deafness. In the past decade, deafness genes in mouse mutants have been identified, providing a platform to study the mechanisms of genetically based deafness in humans. We are seeking to determine whether the auditory systems of these mice have a common cellular and molecular mechanism underlying their deafness and how these compare to the pathologies seen clinically. We are also developing the procedures and techniques to provide chronic ICES in these models to determine if ICES can reverse the deafness-associated pathologies seen in these animals.

This research is supported by the US National Institutes of Health Contract (HHS-N-263-2007-00053-C) and additional funding from a Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital research grant. The team includes TWJ Visiting Research Fellow- Dr Matthew Trotter, Dr Andrew Wise, Dr Jin Xu, Mr Rodney Millard, Ms Helen Feng, Ms Alison Evans, Dr James Fallon, Prof. Rob Shepherd (The Bionic Ear Institute).

The plastic effects of a Bionic Ear on the developing nervous system

This work addresses the question of whether chronic ICES alone, via a cochlear implant, can prevent SGN degeneration. Additionally, the question of the effects of chronic ICES on the developing nervous system; the effects of early vs late intervention for subjects deafened at a young age; and the effects of early intervention for subjects deafened as adults will be addressed.

Deaf animals are implanted with our standard intracochlear electrode arrays and extracochlear ball electrode. We currently, have animals receiving chronic ICES in two groups, low-rate and delayed intervention. Animals in the group receive low-rate (50 pps/electrode) monopolar stimulation on all 7 intracochlear electrodes using the SPEAK® speech processing strategy to assess the effects of stimulation rate on the plastic reorganisation of the auditory pathway. Animals in the delayed group will begin their stimulation regime at an age that mimics the effects of late implantation in adult patients. Previous studies have shown that chronic ICES was able to prevent some of the atrophy in the antero-ventral cochlear nucleus (the first auditory relay centre in the brain) caused by long-term deafness; however, it was not able to be maintained to the same level seen in the normal hearing controls.

This research is supported by the US National Institutes of Health Contract (HHS-N-263-2007-00053-C). The team includes Dr James Fallon, Prof. Dexter Irvine, Ms Alison Evans, Ms Meera Ulaganathan, Mr Michael Giummarra, Dr Andrew Wise, Dr Jin Xu, Mr Rodney Millard, Ms Helen Feng and Prof. Rob Shepherd (The Bionic Ear Institute).

Micro-focus image of mouse stimulator showing the fully inserted electrode array in left cochlea of an experimental mouse.


Plastic changes within the auditory cortex

A) The extent of cortical activation increases as the common ground (CG) stimulus level on a single intracochlear electrode (E1) is increased from the minimum cortical threshold to supra-threshold levels, the extent of cortical activation in a normal hearing animal monotonically increases. Insets show a 7 x 5 mm region of the cortex, activated with varying currents indicated by the arrows. B) & C) A similar increase in the extent of cortical activation with increasing stimulus level is seen for stimulation in a long-term deaf animal (B) and a chronically stimulated animal (C). D) Stimulation at 2 dB above minimum cortical threshold resulted in a more restricted activation in normal hearing animals than long-term deaf or chronically stimulated animals. There was no difference in the activated area between different stimulating electrodes or modes of stimulation. * p < 0.001

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Mean Antero ventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) volumes (green), deaf/chronically stimulated (stimulated = blue; unstimulated = gold) and long-term deaf (red) subjects. Statistics obtained by One-way ANOVA, Holm-Sidak Post Hoc. Statistical significance is indicated by the lines above the bars. Error bars represent SEM’s. The left AVCN of the stimulated group is significantly greater than both the right AVCN (p=0.008) and the deaf controls (p=0.005). Both deaf and stimulated groups were significantly lower than the normal hearing subjects (p<0.001).

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Plastic changes within the auditory pathway


Function of the auditory nerve in deafened and neurotrophin treated cochleae

We are exploring a new method of delivering neurotrophic factors to the cochlea in combination with electrical stimulation (ES) via a cochlear implant. We believe that this research project constitutes a major step towards the implementation of new techniques to restore hearing to deaf people.

The specific aims of this project are to:

• Determinewhetherneurotrophinswillpromoteauditoryneuron survival in a long-term chronically implanted deafened model.

• Determinewhetherneurotrophintreatmentincombination with a clinical implant, is effective in promoting auditory neuron survival in a long-term deafened model.

• Toexaminetheelectrophysiologicalfunctionofauditoryneurons treated with neurotrophins and cochlear implants.

The research team includes Dr Andrew Wise, Prof. Robert Shepherd, Dr James Fallon, Ms Jacqueline Andrew, Dr Jin Xu, Ms Helen Feng, Ms Alison Evans, Mr Tom Landry and Ms Meera Ulaganathan. The project is supported by a project grant from The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation and the US National Institutes of Health contract (HHS-N-263-2007-00053-C).

Auditory nerve response to electrical stimulation

Recordings from a single auditory nerve fibre in response to electrical stimulation. This technique will allow us to study the functional changes of the auditory nerve response following a sensorineural hearing loss and long term neurotrophin treatment in combination with a Bionic Ear.

The anatomy of deafness

A. Example of a 12µm frozen section from a normal cochlea. The Organ of Corti is visible showing the three outer hair cells and one inner hair cell. The peripheral processes of the auditory neurons can also be seen. B. This section shows the spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) cell bodies within Rosenthals’ canal in a normal cochlea. The cell bodies occupy most of the fluid-filled space within Rosenthals canal. C. This section shows Rosenthals’ canal in a deaf cochlea that had received chronic electrical stimulation (ES) for a period of 6 months. There is a substantial decrease in the number of surviving SGNs when compared to the normal cochlea.

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The effects of neurotrophins and ICES on the spatial and temporal processing ability of the brain

The pro-survival effects of neurotrophin delivery (with or without ICES) following aminoglycoside-induced deafening are well established. What are less clear are the effects of neurotrophin delivery with different deafness pathologies and the effects of neurotrophin delivery and ICES on the spatial and temporal processing ability of the central auditory system.

It has been shown that there is profuse dendritic resprouting following aminoglycoside-induced deafening and neurotrophin delivery; however the consequences of this resprouting on the functional cochleotopic organization of the central auditory system are unclear. We have developed single SGN peripheral fibre tracing techniques using the tracer tetramethylrhodamine dextran (TMRD) to determine the extent of aberrant peripheral fibre regrowth following neurotrophin and / or ICES treatment. We have also begun recording high-resolution spatial response intensity images from multi-channel multi-unit data recorded across the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICC) in response to acute intracochlear electrical stimulation. These experiments will allow us to study the effects of the resprouting from both anatomical and functional perspectives and are vital experiments to be performed before neurotrophins are considered for any clinical application.

This research is supported by the US National Institutes of Health Contract (HHS-N-263-2007-00053-C). The team includes University of Melbourne PhD student Mr Tom Landry, Dr Andrew Wise, Dr James Fallon, Ms Helen Feng and Prof. Rob Shepherd. Tom Landry is supported by the The Bartholomew Reardon PhD Scholarship (The Bionic Ear Institute).

Cochlear sections following pressure injection of TMRD into the guinea pig auditory nerve. Midmodiolar sections of the upper basal turn are shown in a and b. Peripheral fibres can be seen at the OC (arrows), and passing through the OSL (arrowheads). The selective labeling of SGN somata within RC can be seen in a. Peripheral SGN fibers at the OC in a basal turn wholemount are shown in c (arrow). OC = organ of Corti, OSL = osseous spiral lamina, RC = Rosenthal’s canal, ST = scala tympani. Scale bars = 20 µm.

Spatial response intensity images from a deaf guinea pig for each of the adjacent bipolar electrode pairs of an acutely implanted 6-electrode cochlear implant. E12 indicates bipolar stimulation (100 µs/phase; 50 µs inter-phase gap) between electrode 1 (the most apical electrode) and electrode 2. The best electrode tuning to each electrode (seen as “V” shape) is seen to move to deeper IC locations with more basal stimulation sites, illustrating the cochleotopic organisation of the implanted cochlea. The response threshold also increases at more basal stimulation sites.


Molecular analysis of synaptic plasticity changes in the auditory cortex

The main principle of cochlear implants involves functional electrical stimulation of the primary auditory neurons to restore activity to a sensory-deprived auditory system. This strategy has successfully restored hearing to many patients with severe to profound hearing loss. The molecular mechanisms which drive these changes remain unclear. The increased metabolic activity in the auditory cortex of deaf humans after cochlear implantation suggests that neural activity might be a crucial link. Neural activity modulates the maturation of synapses and their organisation into functional circuits by regulating activity-dependent signaling pathways. Phosphorylation of cAMP/Ca2+-responsive element binding protein (CREB) is widely accepted as an activity-dependent event. In turn, phosphorylated CREB activates the transcription of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is needed for synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation. We examined how these molecular events are influenced by re-activation via cochlear implants.

Hearing impaired rats were unilaterally implanted with an intracochlear electrode array and received 3 hours of electrical stimulation/day over a 7 week period. This chronic paradigm was compared with an acute paradigm where hearing impaired rats were stimulated for 3 hours only. Biochemical techniques were used to examine gene expression changes in the auditory cortex.

Long-term electrical stimulation by cochlear implants dramatically elevated the expression of phosphorylated CREB and BDNF in auditory cortical neurons. A greater proportion of these neurons also showed an increased expression of voltage-gated sodium channels. Neural activity contributes to some of these molecular changes because up-regulation of phosphorylated CREB and BDNF were found in auditory cortical neurons of acutely stimulated rats. These findings provide insights to adaptive, molecular mechanisms recruited by the brain upon functional electrical stimulation by neural prosthetic devices.

This research was supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health (NIH-N01-DC-3-1005); ANZ Trustees Medical Research and Technology in Victoria, Australia; The Marion & E.H. Flack Trust, The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation, The Freiwillige Akademishe Gesellschaft (Switzerland). Team members include: Dr Justin Tan, Dr Sandra Widjaja, Dr Jin Xu, Ms Helen Feng, Mr Rodney Millard, and Prof. Rob Shepherd.

Effects of cochlear implants on plasticity genes in the brain


DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COCHLEAR IMPLANT SOUND PROCESSING STRATEGIES

Cochlear Implant processing to provide better perception of music and voice pitch

The aim of this research program is to determine the nature of the frequency and time information that is required to adequately code and perceive music and voice-pitch information in cochlear implants. The aim is to provide cochlear implant users with enhanced electrical stimulation that provides them with better perception of music and voice-pitch. This involves developing computer models that accurately account for the mechanical and neural response of the ear to sound, developing models to compare pitch perception data against existing cochlear implant systems, and developing electrical stimulation algorithms based upon these models. The resulting electrical stimulation algorithms are translated into the cochlear implant hardware and it is then tested audiological with cochlear implantees. A Senior Researcher, Dr Jeremy Marozeau has been appointed to lead this project and will commence in September 2008.

This research is supported by The Jack Brockhoff Foundation; Goldman Sachs JBWere Foundation; Soma Health Pty Ltd; Mr Robert Albert AO RFD RD; Miss Betty Amsden OAM; Bruce Parncutt & Robin Campbell; Frederick & Winnifred Grassick Memorial Fund managed by Trust as Trustee. The current program leaders include: Dr David Grayden (The University of Melbourne) and Prof. Anthony Burkitt (The University of Melbourne and BEI).

Cochlear Implant Sound Processing with STAR

The Spike-based Temporal Auditory Representation (STAR) sound processing strategy is a development in cochlear implant sound processing that aims to improve users’ perception of speech, especially in noisy situations. The study advances our knowledge about how the hearing system works in normal hearing people as well as people who use cochlear implants. In 2005-2006, the STAR strategy in its most basic form was evaluated against a clinical strategy. Investigations showed that the STAR strategy was able to perform as well as the clinical strategy ACE despite vast differences in the way that sounds were processed.

The next stage of the study was to investigate a feature in the STAR strategy called Long Term Adaptation which aims to provide better speech perception in background noise. A strategy evaluated this advanced version of STAR against ACE with ten research subjects. Results showed that long-term adaptation was of significant benefit to 5 out of the 10 subjects when listening in background noise and showed some benefit in others.

Patient word scores for CUNY sentences tested amidst background noise for STAR and for ACE. Five patients show a significant improvement in words correct.

Music perception was also evaluated with the STAR strategy. Many cochlear implant users report they are unable to understand or appreciate music. It was hypothesized that STAR could provide better music perception by providing fine timing cues. Tests were conducted with nine cochlear implant users investigating music perception with the STAR strategy and the ACE strategy. The results showed that subjects are divided on their preferred strategy for listening to music with approximately 50% of patients preferring ACE and 50% preferring STAR.

This research is supported by the Victorian Lions Foundation Inc and Soma Health Pty Ltd. We would like to acknowledge Mr Andrew Vandali and CRC Hear for provision of the Spear 3 processors used in this research. The research team include: Dr David Grayden (The University of Melbourne); Prof. Anthony Burkitt (The University of Melbourne and BEI); Ms Jasmine Mar, Victorian Lions Fellow (BEI) and Mr William Kentler (BEI).

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Improved sound processing strategies for cochlear implant subjects


Travelling wave delays for the cochlear implant

The “Travelling Wave” sound processing strategy for cochlear implants is a new method for processing sound that is based upon how sound is processed in the human auditory pathway. Travelling wave delays are the frequency-dependent delays for sounds that arise because of the time it takes for the vibration to travel along the cochlear partition (basilar membrane) in the cochlea.

This new cochlear implant sound processing strategy has been tested on six research volunteers with cochlear implants using a standard battery of speech tests. Incorporating the travelling wave delays into subjects’ own processing strategies produced a significant improvement in speech perception scores in noise. The results represent the largest improvement in speech performance for cochlear implant users in more than a decade.

This research forms part of Daniel Taft’s PhD and is supported by a Postgraduate scholarship (School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne); the Harold Mitchell Foundation and Soma Health Pty Ltd. Collaborators on this project include Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne. Daniel is supervised by Dr David Grayden (The University of Melbourne and BEI) and Prof. Anthony Burkitt (The University of Melbourne and BEI).

NEURAL MODELLING

The neural modelling unit uses computational and mathematical models of neural networks to explore information processing in the brain. Key research projects include:

Temporal pattern learning and recognition in neural systems

The goal of this project is to develop real-time recognition methods for patterns that change with time, particularly auditory signals. One part of the project studies how the brain recognizes and learns distinct sequences of events such as the sequences of sounds that make up words. We have developed a neural network model inspired by experimental results on neural correlates of navigation. The neural network learns to recognize sequences through the adaptation of neural connections as a result of experience. Just as in the experimental results, the neural network has the important property that wide variation in the duration of sequence elements has little effect on the reliability of recognition. We are continuing to study the ability of the model to learn complex sets of sequences.

A second part of the project asks how the fine temporal structure of sound, such as that resulting from the glottal pulses characteristic of speech, can be exploited to aid sound recognition in noise. Using current computational models of the auditory pathway, we are studying how neural representation and processing make use of these features. With a better understanding of the processing performed in the auditory pathway we will be able to better strategies for automatic speech recognition and for cochlear implant processing.

The team includes Dr Sean Byrnes, Prof. Anthony Burkitt and Dr David Grayden; and is a collaboration between the BEI and the School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne. The work is funded by ARC Discovery Project Grant DP0771815.


Learning in biological neural networks: Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity and emergence of functional pathways

Understanding the underlying processes that determine the evolution of activity in biological neural networks is a crucial step towards gaining knowledge on the information processing that takes place in the brain. This PhD project conducted by Matthieu Gilson studies learning in neurons through a mechanism called synaptic plasticity, which describes the evolution of the strengths of connections between neurons (or synaptic weights). Such plasticity links the molecular level to the behavioural level and is believed to account for specialisation in the brain.

We use the Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity (STDP) model observed in vitro, which relies on the correlation (temporal coincidence) between the action potentials (or spikes) fired by neurons. Using a mathematical framework, we predict the evolution of the distribution of synaptic weights in a neural network stimulated by external spike trains which convey spike-time information at the fine temporal scale of several milliseconds. We use numerical simulations in order to verify such predictions on the weight structures learned by the neural network, according to the external input characteristics and the learning parameters.

We obtained positive results in describing the emergence of specialised (ie. sensitive to specific stimuli) synchronous areas in the neural networks at a mesoscopic scale (groups of several hundreds neurons or more). This emergence of such functional pathways can for example describe the self-organisation in the primary visual cortex in the first weeks after birth observed for mammalians. Understanding such an information processing in the brain could bring interesting developments such as using the natural brain plasticity in order to fine-tune electrical stimulation by neural prostheses, aiming to restore or use sensory-motor functions in the central nervous system.

This research is supported by University of Melbourne, NICTA, ARC Discovery Projects #DP0453205 and #DP0664271. Matthieu Gilson’s supervisors include: Prof. Anthony Burkitt, Dr David Grayden, Dr Doreen A Thomas (The University of Melbourne).

Neural networks

Scheme of self-organisation in a neural network: firstly, specialisation of the input connections and emergence of two neuron groups; then decorrelation of the two neuron groups by learning on the recurrent connections.

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Gain modulation in neural systems with feedback, feedforward and recurrent connectivity

The way nerve responses combine and interact is fundamental to how the nervous system extracts and processes information and underlies a range of functions, including sensory perception, sensory-motor integration, attentional processing, object recognition and navigation. However the neural mechanisms underlying these functions are poorly understood. This project examines the mechanisms by which systems of interconnected neurons modulate, control and stabilize their responses, using mathematical techniques and computational simulations.

The research has focussed on neural systems that are organised as a sequence of layers due to the connections between neurons. Such layered neural systems make up the pathways in the brain responsible for sensory information processing. This information is believed to be carried within a pathway by a modulation of the neural responses within each layer. Using mathematical techniques we have identified the conditions under which such modulations can be transmitted in a stable fashion throughout a pathway. We have discovered a striking contrast between two types of pathways. In those in which the connections are purely feedforward, from one layer to the next, we find that response modulations can not be transmitted effectively. However, if pathways incorporate additional recurrent connections within each layer then response modulations can be transmitted, provided the conditions which we have identified are satisfied. We have also investigated these layered neural systems with computer simulations which support our mathematical results and incorporate features of neurons which the mathematical methods omit. They also shed light on more complex phenomena present in these systems, concerning the timing of neural responses, which we plan to investigate further. The project addresses fundamental cross-disciplinary issues of control and information processing in large, distributed neural systems that are at the cutting edge of research into intelligent processing systems. Potential applications are in rapidly growing fields of robotics, machine learning, adaptive control and intelligent systems. Applications to cochlear implant speech processing will provide benefit for the hearing impaired.

The team includes Dr Chris Trengove (BEI), Prof. Anthony Burkitt, and Dr David Grayden (The University of Melbourne). The work is funded by ARC Discovery Project Grant DP0664271.


AUDITORY BRAINSTEM IMPLANTS: STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVED HEARING

In 1989, the first multichannel Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) was developed to restore hearing loss due to Neurofibromatosis Type II, a genetic condition caused by tumour growths on the VIIIth cranial nerve. Since then, the device has been implanted in over 500 patients worldwide; however, clinical success has been limited. The present commercially available ABI is designed to stimulate the surface of the cochlear nucleus (CN), the first station in the central auditory pathway, which receives direct innervation from the inner ear. A number of factors affect the performance of the surface ABI; however most scientists believe two major areas are in need of improvement. First of all, unlike the cochlear implant (CI) which is directly in contact with the tonotopically arranged neurons of the cochlea, the ABI only stimulates the surface of the CN. Consequently, the ABI is unable to take advantage of the tonotopic organisation of neurons inside the CN from low to high frequencies. Second, both CIs and ABIs use the same stimulation strategies to convert speech information into electrical current. Given that the normal processing of acoustic information in the CN is quite different from sound processing within the cochlea, several clinical studies have warranted the need for a novel stimulation strategy exclusive to the ABI along with a penetrating electrode design. The main aims of our project are to explore the mechanisms behind coding of frequency in the auditory brainstem and applying this knowledge to improve stimulation strategies for the ABI.

This research is supported by The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation. The Team includes Assoc. Prof. Tony Paolini (BEI/ La Trobe University), Mohit Shivdasani (BEI/ La Trobe University), Stefan Mauger (BEI/ La Trobe University), Rebecca Argent (BEI), and Mr Graeme Rathbone (La Trobe University).

Inferior colliculus responses to single and dual site stimulation in the ventral cochlear nucleus with a penetrating auditory brainstem implant

Our previous study (Shivdasani et. al, 2008) using penetrating multichannel electrodes in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) and in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (CIC) indicated that VCN stimulation of a single point within an isofrequency lamina is not always frequency specific and in some cases does not elicit a response in the CIC.

Therefore, it is proposed that the ABI may require a greater number of electrodes in each VCN isofrequency lamina to incorporate sufficient redundancy and that simultaneous stimulation of more than one location within an isofrequency lamina might provide increased speech perception. In this study, we hypothesized that simultaneous stimulation of two VCN sites in similar isofrequency laminae would further lower thresholds of CIC activation, while providing a larger dynamic range and a higher degree of frequency specificity over single site stimulation. CIC sites were found to respond to dual site stimulation with significantly lower thresholds, wider dynamic ranges, and in some cases, an increased spread of activation and a higher degree of frequency specificity compared to single site stimulation. As frequency specificity, thresholds and dynamic ranges are all factors linked to speech perception, this method of dual site stimulation within similar VCN isofrequency laminae could result in improvements in speech perception if incorporated in an ABI stimulation strategy.

This project forms part of Mohit Shivdasani’s PhD. Mohit is supervised by Assoc. Prof. Tony Paolini (BEI/ La Trobe University) and Mr Graeme Rathbone (La Trobe University). Mohit’s PhD is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and Harold Mitchell Postgraduate Student Travelling Fellowship.

Neural Timing in the Inferior Colliculus through Electrical stimulation of the Cochlear Nucleus

Although ABIs have been successful in restoring some sound and speech perception, they have not been able to provide speech intelligibility without lip reading. This is partly due to the limited understanding of the response of higher auditory structures to electrical stimulation of the VCN. In this study we aim to investigate the effects of localised VCN stimulation by recording single extracellular neuron responses in the CIC. Particularly, our aim was to look at timing of neural firing through stimulation of the VCN. Our results to date provide the first evidence of the auditory midbrain’s temporal response to VCN electrical stimulation which could help the development of future ABIs.

This project forms part of Stefan Mauger’s PhD. Stefan is supervised Assoc. Prof. Tony Paolini (BEI/ La Trobe University) and Mr. Graeme Rathbone (La Trobe University). Stefan’s PhD is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA); Information and Communication Technology Scholarship (ICT); Commercialisation Training Scheme Scholarship (CTS); and a Harold Mitchell Postgraduate Student Travelling Fellowship.


AUDITORY AND VISUAL INTEGRATION IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Using a cochlear implant, auditory sensation can be restored in some children with hearing loss. Despite advances in cochlear implant technology, these children are generally not expected to reach their age-appropriate spoken language level by age four.

Development of speech and language relies on accurate auditory perception as well as the integration of auditory and visual information. Yet little is known about the development of auditory and visual integration and how this is related to language acquisition.

We are currently performing an extensive battery of neuropsychological tests on normal hearing children and adults assessing basic auditory, visual, audiovisual and language development. We are also recording brain-wave activity during tasks known to induce audiovisual integration. In addition, we are currently working with a number of local schools investigating how children with normal hearing put together pictures and sounds and how this ability is related to reading, learning and language acquisition.

Children with cochlear implants combine auditory and visual information differently compared with children who have good hearing. Auditory pathway deficits in these children lead vision to dominate their perception. We suspect that these deficits may result in poor audiovisual integration due to the lack of auditory neural input. In turn, this adversely impacts speech and language development.

Using a unique combination of language assessment techniques and brain recordings we intend to better understand auditory and visual integrative processes in children with good hearing and those who have a hearing impairment. We hope to identify factors underlying successful language acquisition. Identifying these factors will enable the development of appropriate strategies to ensure that children with hearing impairments, cochlear implants and language disabilities can achieve better language outcomes.

This research is supported by Neville and Di Bertalli, John and Janet Calvert-Jones; The Jack Brockhoff Foundation and the Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Foundation. The team includes: Assoc. Prof. Tony Paolini (BEI/La Trobe); Ayla Baratchu (BEI); Hamish Innes-Brown (BEI); Mohit Shivdasani and Assoc. Prof. Sheila Crewther (La Trobe University).

Biomedical engineer Mohit Shivdasani measures the activities of nerve cells in the brain during auditory and visual stimuli


RESEARCHREPORTcontinued


To function effectively the cochlear implant relies on a healthy population of auditory nerves to transmit the electrical signals from the implant to the brain. However, deafness has a detrimental effect on auditory nerves; they progressively degenerate and eventually die. A major reason for this is the loss of protective factors called neurotrophins that are normally supplied to the nerves by the sensory hair cells.

The result is that deaf people have fewer nerves in the inner ear compared to hearing people. The cochlear implant consists of an array of electrodes that deliver electrical current to hearing nerves in the inner ear helping profoundly deaf people to communicate. These projects aim to develop methods to introduce an external source of neurotrophins in order to prevent degenerative processes with the intention of improving the effectiveness of the cochlear implant.

GENE THERAPY FOR TARGETED REGENERATION OF AUDITORY NEURONS AFTER HEARING LOSS

Our research has shown that if we replace the lost neurotrophins then we can protect the nerves and also promote resprouting of these nerves. However, the resprouting nerves are often disorganized and grow in the wrong direction. We believe that the abnormal resprouting of auditory nerves is due to a lack of a ‘target’ for the nerves to grow towards and make connections with. Therefore, a key aim of this project is to determine whether we can control the direction of resprouting nerves towards a localized neurotrophin source following deafness.

We have been investigating methods of controlling nerve regeneration after hearing loss by expressing small amounts of neurotrophins in specific cells of the cochlea via gene therapy. We hope that more localized neurotrophin expression will create a ‘target’ or source of neurotrophins that encourages both nerve survival and regeneration towards the cells expressing the gene.

We have successfully generated gene transfer vectors that force cells in the cochlea to express neurotrophin genes as well as a visual marker gene. Neurotrophin gene expression

DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Gene therapy for neurotrophin gene expression in auditory neurons

The green cells are auditory neurons that have been genetically modified to produce increased levels of the neurotrophin BDNF.

has been shown to contribute to nerve survival in vitro and we are in the process of investigating the effects of gene transfer in hearing impaired animal models. We will use two- and three-dimensional visualization techniques to view the growth and trajectory of neurons with respect to the region of neurotrophin gene expression.

This research is supported by The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID UK), the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and John T Reid Charitable Trusts. Investigators on this research project are Dr Rachael Richardson, Dr Andrew Wise, Prof. Rob Shepherd, Ms Brianna Flynn and Mr Patrick Atkinson from the Bionic Ear Institute, Prof. Stephen O’Leary from the Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, and collaborators Dr Ian Alexander from the University of Sydney and Prof. Cliff Hume from the University of Washington.


IMPROVING THE NERVE-ELECTRODE INTERFACE OF THE COCHLEAR IMPLANT WITH POLYMER TECHNOLOGY

Researchers at The Bionic Ear Institute have many years of experience in preserving auditory nerves using nerve growth factors called neurotrophins. We have recently been focusing on safe and effective methods of long-term neurotrophin treatment for the inner ear. We investigated a special coating for cochlear implant electrodes that delivers neurotrophins safely to the inner ear at the same time as electrical current. The coating that we tested was a plastic polymer called polypyrrole (Ppy) that was electrically conducting and was capable of storing and releasing neurotrophins without hindering cochlear implant function.

Electrode arrays coated with Ppy by colleagues at the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, were implanted into hearing impaired guinea pigs. Ears that were implanted with Ppy that did not contain neurotrophins showed even further neural degeneration, indicative of the damage that can occur when cochlear implants are inserted. However, when electrode arrays were coated with Ppy that did contain neurotrophins, the impact of insertion was lessened and when electrical stimulation was applied (boosting the release of neurotrophins from the polymer), neurons were protected from both insertion damage as well as some of the degeneration associated with deafness. This indicates that electrode coatings such as Ppy can rescue neurons from dying after deafness as well as protect them from damage that occurs during cochlear implantation. This will help achieve our ultimate goal of preserving and regenerating as many hearing nerves as we possibly can to ensure that the cochlear implant can work to the best of its ability.

This research is supported by The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID UK), the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and John T Reid Charitable Trusts. Investigators on this research project are Dr Rachael Richardson, Dr Andrew Wise, Prof. Rob Shepherd, Prof. Rob Kapsa, Prof. Graeme Clark, Dr James Fallon, Ms Brianna Flynn and Ms Alison Evans from The Bionic Ear Institute, Prof. Stephen O’Leary from the University of Melbourne, Prof. Gordon Wallace, Dr Simon Moulton and Ms Brianna Thompson from the University of Wollongong.

Polymer-coated electrodes implanted in a cochlea for protecting auditory neurons from insertion trauma and deafness-related neural degeneration.

4 intracochlear polypyrrole-coated platinum electrodes

Extracochlear platinum electrode


Above: ‘Dying to hear’, finalist entry, 2007 New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science photography

PROTECTING THE AUDITORY NERVE WITH ENCAPSULATED NEUROPROTECTIVE CELLS

The Bionic Ear Institute and Living Cell Technologies Ltd in New Zealand are working together to improve hearing for Bionic Ear users. Through combining the expertise of The Bionic Ear Institute with the cutting edge techniques at Living Cell Technologies Ltd we are developing unique methods to rescue the auditory nerve following deafness.

As part of this collaboration Jacqueline Andrew’s doctoral studies are investigating a new method to protect the hearing nerve following deafness. Jacqueline is using tiny, seaweed-derived capsules containing cells which naturally produce neurotrophins, to replace the supply of neurotrophins lost following deafness. The cells, called ‘choroid plexus’ and ‘Schwann cells’ produce a range of protective hormones and proteins that we know to improve nerve survival. The capsules are produced by Living Cell Technologies Ltd and essentially hide the cells from a patients’ immune system to prevent rejection.

Jacqueline is supervised by Prof. Rob Shepherd (BEI), Dr Bryony Coleman (University of Melbourne) and Prof. Richard Dowell (University of Melbourne) and her advisors are Anne Coco (BEI) and Marilyn Geaney (LCT). Other members of our team include: Dr Stephen Skinner (LCT), Dr Paul Tan (LCT) and Dr Andrew Wise (BEI). This work is funded by the generous support of the NH&MRC (Dora Lush Biomedical Postgraduate Research Scholarship), Living Cell Technologies Ltd, The Harold Mitchell Foundation Postgraduate Student Travelling Fellowship and The Bionic Ear Institute. Our beautiful capsules were also recognised in the 2007 New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography.

Encapsulated Porcine Choroid Plexus cells used in this research. Courtesy of Marilyn Geaney, Living Cell Technologies.


A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACH ENCAPSULATING BRAIN DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR IN NANOPARTICLES FOR TREATING SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS

We have developed a novel therapeutic approach to encapsulate BDNF in bio-compatible and bio-degradable nanoparticles in order to initiate its release in a slow and sustainable manner, with a view of adapting this strategy for long-term treatment of nerve deafness.

In collaboration with our colleagues at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at The University of Melbourne, we sequestered BDNF into nanoparticles using polymer chemistry. Under physiological conditions, this BDNF is released and preserves its structural integrity. The amount of BDNF released per nanoparticle is quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our ongoing endeavour is to determine if BDNF which has been encapsulated in nanoparticles still maintains its biological activity. This can be confirmed by adding the molecule into SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. In the presence of BDNF, these cells will differentiate into neurons.

BDNF-nanoparticle complexes will be synthesised which release the BDNF molecule over a period of weeks; and the released BDNF would retain its chemical integrity and biological activity, despite undergoing treatment procedures during its encapsulation.

This research is supported by National Institutes of Health funded contract (HHS-N-263-2007-00053-C) and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. The Research team includes: Dr Fergal Glynn (BEI); Dr Justin Tan (BEI); Yajun Wang (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne); Prof. Frank Caruso (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Melbourne) and Prof. Rob Shepherd (BEI).

AUDITORY MAINTENANCE USING CELL THERAPY TECHNIQUES

Auditory neurons, the target cells of the cochlear implant, undergo progressive degeneration in deafness. Importantly, intracochlear infusion of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) can prevent auditory neuron degeneration. However, these experimental methods are not considered clinically viable.

Our current studies are focussed upon investigating cell-based techniques as a potential clinically relevant means of delivering neurotrophins into the cochlea. Previously, we have reported that Schwann cells which secrete increased amounts of BDNF or NT-3 can enhance auditory neuron survival in vitro in comparison to controls. We now have preliminary data which suggests that encapsulated BDNF-Schwann cells also prevent auditory neuron degeneration in an animal model of deafness.

The application of these neurotrophic factors in a clinical setting may improve speech perception and language outcomes for cochlear implant patients.

This research is being conducted by Dr Lisa Pettingill and Prof. Rob Shepherd, and is supported by the Macquarie Group Foundation, the State Government of Victoria, and The Bionic Ear Institute.

Right: Untreated

A cochlea section following treatment with a BDNF-Schwann cell implant (top) shows greater cell survival than the untreated deaf control (bottom).

Left: BDNF-Schwann cell implant


RESEARCHREPORTcontinued

HANNAHEpilepsy sufferer Hannah Galvin took part in experimental brain stimulation to help neurologist Professor Mark Cook and his team develop an implant that can detect and control seizures.


The overall goal is to develop a bionic implant capable of restoring reading vision to people suffering from eye diseases such as macula degeneration, which is responsible for 48% of all blindness in Australia. A video camera will capture and process the images and these images are sent wirelessly to a bionic implant. The implant then stimulates dormant optic nerves to generate ‘phosphenes’ that form the basis of images in the brain. Our collaborative partners on our Bionic Eye research include: the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA); NICTA; The University of Melbourne and The University of NSW.

This research includes several studies:

• Development of High Resolution Visual Stimulation approaches

A new generation of retinal stimulation techniques will need to be developed in order for the brain to “see” high resolution images.

• High Resolution Electrode Design It is necessary to ensure that the implant will not result

in damage to the retina and will continue to function over long periods of time in the environment within the eye. The implant will be designed using nanotechnology techniques developed by our collaborators at NICTA and The University of Melbourne.

• Functional Biocompatibility The materials used in this device must be bio-

compatible, non corrosive and must not cause any adverse chemical reactions with biological tissue. The long term performance of the stimulating electrodes is to be assessed.

• Surgery An important aspect of the program is the development

of surgical techniques to implant the device on the retina and ensure that it remains in a fixed place. This will be conducted by our ophthalmic collaborators within CERA and the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne.

• Learning An important aspect of this study is the development

of vision processing strategies that will lead to optimal perceptual performance. Vision processing strategies will be developed using the combined skills of NICTA, University of Melbourne, University of NSW and BEI engineers.

• Electrophysiological, behavioural and psychophysical studies

To assess the efficacy of the vision processing strategies, both animal and human studies are necessary. The electrophysiological animal studies will provide us with detailed information about the relationship between electrically and optically evoked neural responses. The behavioural and psychophysical studies will provide information about the perceived visual responses to electrical stimulation and to provide us with information about the extent to which electrical stimulation of the retina is able to evoke a retinotopic map in the visual cortex, i.e. a representation of the external visual world on the brain. This will be crucial for developing automated electrical stimulation protocols that can be tailored to each individual.

The project is supported by The Ian Potter Foundation and John T Reid Charitable Trusts. The research team includes Assoc. Prof. Chris Williams (BEI); Prof. Rob Shepherd (BEI); Dr James Fallon (BEI) Ms Meera Ulaganathan (BEI); Dr Chi Luu (CERA); Dr Penny Allen (CERA); Dr Mark McCoombe (CERA); Prof. Robyn Guymer (CERA); Prof. Hugh Taylor (CERA); Prof. Stan Skafidis (NICTA Department of Electrical Engineering University of Melbourne); Prof. Anthony Burkitt (BEI/NICTA Department of Electrical Engineering University of Melbourne); Dr Hamish Meffin (NICTA Department of Electrical Engineering University of Melbourne); PhD student Nick Opie (NICTA Department of Electrical Engineering University of Melbourne), Prof. Nigel Lovell (University of NSW) and Assoc. Prof. Gregg Suaning (University of NSW).

BIONIC EYE


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A Video Camera fitted to a pair of glasses and captures a stream of images

B Wireless Processor converts the camera images into digital signals which are sent to the implant using wireless technology

C Bionic Implant a chip with an array of 1,000 electrodes is attached to the damaged retina. This receives signals from the processor, using them to stimulate the optic nerve.

D Optic Nerve transmits electrical impulses from the retina to the brain.

E Visual Centre at the back of the brain translates nerve impulses into the images we see.

HOW THE BIONIC EYE WILL WORK


THE DETECTION AND CONTROL OF EPILEPTIC SEIZURES

The Neurodynamics of Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disease affecting approximately 1% of the population and it is characterised by abnormal electrical activity in the brain called seizures. Generally, the more parts of the brain affected by a seizure the more severe the condition. The severity of the seizures and their effect on the quality of life of the patient varies both between and within patients, i.e., a single patient can have varying degrees of severity of seizures and different patients with similar conditions can have varying degrees of severity of seizures. It is not known what physiological factors determine this variation. If these factors were known, treatments could be devised that limit the spread and severity of the seizure. PhD candidate Andre Peterson’s research involves constructing a physiologically plausible mathematical model of a complex brain network in order to determine what properties of the network that facilitate seizure spread. In particular he is studying how a seizure spreads on a microscopic scale and what self-correcting mechanisms of the brain are responsible for containing the abnormal activity as well as, more importantly, how they can fail. The model will be tested against real patient seizure data to investigate which factors determine the seizure spread.

This research is supported by ARC Linkage Project LP0560684 and is a collaboration between the BEI, School of Engineering (The University of Melbourne) and St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne). The team include: Andre Peterson, Prof. Anthony Burkitt; Dr David Grayden; Prof. Iven Mareels; Prof. Mark Cook; Dr Hamish Meffin and Dr Levin Kuhlmann

Epileptic Seizure Prediction and the Dynamics of the Electrical Fields of the Brain.

Even though seizure occurrences appear to occur at random, there is evidence that there are changes in the brain’s behaviour some time before attacks occur. This is partly supported by reports from sufferers and their friends and families about ‘funny or strange’ feelings or behaviour prior to seizures. On a more technical level, seizures have been likened to a “bifurcation” of the dynamical state of the brain where the brain activity becomes unstable. Under certain scenarios, if the bifurcation theory of seizures holds true, then seizures should be predictable by tracking the state of the brain.

Dean Freestone’s PhD project focuses on developing a method of seizure prediction based upon these principles. If seizures can be reliably predicted then it is thought that some local therapy could be administered, which could reduce or eliminate the impending attack. At the very least, some warning may be given to the patient.

The techniques that Dean is employing in his PhD take advantage of recordings of the brain’s electrical fields in epilepsy patients at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. Patients who are candidates for epilepsy surgery, where the diseased part of the brain is removed, have electrodes implanted under their skull directly onto the brain to accurately locate the epileptic region and distinguish it from the normally functioning areas. Via these electrodes we have access to neural recordings that will help us develop methods of tracking the brain’s dynamical state.

Dean Freestone is supervised by Dr David Grayden, Prof. Anthony Burkitt, Prof. Mark Cook; Dr Levin Kuhlmann and Prof. Iven Mareels. This project is part of the inter-disciplinary research supported by the ARC Linkage Project LP0560684 and is a collaboration between the BEI, School of Engineering (The University of Melbourne) and St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne).

INTELLIGENT IMPLANTS AND NEUROLOGICAL APPLICATIONS


ACES NANO-BIONICS PROGRAM

The Bionics Program of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) has partner nodes within The University of Wollongong, St. Vincent’s Hospital, The Bionic Ear Institute and Monash University. Using novel nanomaterials and intelligent polymers, the ACES Bionics program is focused on generating nano-bionic devices and conductive polymer systems that promote efficient interactions with neural tissue. The research conducted within the BEI’s Eric Bauer “Nano-Bionics” laboratory is directed towards development of a new-generation of cochlear implant electrodes as well as repairing and regenerating damaged nerves in the spinal cord following traumatic injury.

This project aims to promote better communication between living nerve cells and bionic devices using nanotechnology and nanostructure via electroconductive materials including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other organic conducting polymers (OCPs). Nanostructured electromaterials such as CNTs involve fibres with diameters in the order of millionths of a millimetre. They possess unique and useful properties, including excellent electrical conductivity and high tensile strength. These properties place CNTs as a promising material for the next generation of neural-computer interfacing electrodes. They may be able to stimulate brain cells with a more directed electrical field that uses less power than conventional electrodes. CNT electrodes may thus provide Bionic Ear recipients better perception of sound with smaller and longer lasting devices.

Neural Interfacing: development of improved “nano-bionic” electrodes for cochlear implants

The challenge is to create a serviceable interface between OCPs, CNTs and a conventional electrical circuit. We are investigating several methods to accomplish this, involving platinum sputter-coating and various other methods by which to attach nanobionic elements to electrode surfaces. Once we have created an effective connection to a CNT-based electrode array, we will use the cochlea and auditory brainstem, as a model to record responses to stimulation with and without nano-stimulation. These recordings will reveal whether stimulation with novel CNT electrodes results in a greater degree of frequency resolution than would be expected with conventional electrodes. These studies are aimed towards designing better electrodes for cochlear implants that will give the recipients a more high-fidelity perception of sound.

Neural Repair: Polymer scaffolds for directed regrowth of spinal nerves

The applicability of novel biomaterials to spinal cord regeneration is also being investigated. This aspect of the program is focused towards development of systems incorporating polymer scaffolds that can guide functional repair of nerves after spinal cord injury. These studies have been initiated in vitro, and are currently being phased into chronic in vivo studies. Electrophysiological recordings from regrown spinal nerves will allow insight into the functional capabilities of nerves regenerated with these polymer scaffolds and may lead to development of a “bionic spine”.

Nano-Safety: Biocompatibility of novel biomaterials

This project is investigating the safety and efficacy of new polymer composite materials for neural prostheses. We have been studying the biocompatibility of composite materials containing CNTs in vivo to determine whether these nano-bionic materials can be used safely in a physiological setting. These studies also include an in vitro component to evaluate, in more detail, the possibility of any adverse effects on cellular function and to establish the capacity of the materials to support stimulated nerve function and growth.

ACES Bionics team

The University of Wollongong’s Intelligent Polymer Research Institute fabricate the CNTs and OCPs for our studies. We also collaborate with RMIT’s School of Applied Physics and La Trobe University School of Chemistry to image and process the CNT arrays.

The Melbourne team is headed by Prof. Graeme Clark AC and includes principal investigator Associate Prof. Rob Kapsa, research fellow Dr David Nayagam, research assistant Kylie Magee, Associate Prof. Chris Williams, UROP student Ronald Leung, administrative assistant Stewart Gresham, research assistant Magdalena Kita, research fellow Dr Anita Quigley, neurologist Prof. Mark Cook, neurosurgeons Dr Kristian Bulluss and Associate Prof. Michael Murphy. Consultants on the Program include Prof. Richard Kirsner, Associate Prof. Tony Paolini, Dr Rachael Richardson, Mr Graeme Rathbone, Prof. Wayne Morrison and Prof. Peter Choong. The University of Wollongong group includes Centre Director Prof. Gordon Wallace, Dr Jun Chen, Dr Joselito Razal, Dr Kerry Gilmore, Dr Michael Higgins, Dr Simon Moulton, Dr Syed Ashraf, Dr Toni Campbell, Brianna Thompson, and Xiao Liu.


Bionic Technologies Australia seeks to act as a catalyst bringing together the collective capabilities of its members to deliver next generation bionic products through outcome-focused research. It is envisaged that Bionic Technologies Australia will act as a focal point for interaction and collaboration among its members and other research Institutes and industry partners seeking to develop bionic products. Bionic Technologies Australia is funded with a $6million STI grant from the Victorian Government matched with $6.5million of in-kind contributions from the members.

This allows Bionic Technologies Australia to conduct its research in both bionics and medical devices at a number of sites around Australia including: East Melbourne – biological science activities; Clayton – polymer science activities; Geelong – textile and material fabrication activities; and Wollongong – material science activities. The science capabilities of our partners have been organised within Bionic Technologies Australia in a manner that provides core development capabilities in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, biomaterials, and drug delivery devices.

Near the end of the 2007/2008 year one of our members PolyNovo Biomaterials Ltd retired from the joint venture. The management of Bionic Technologies Australia thanks PolyNovo Biomaterials Ltd for their support and efforts during the past two years and wishes them all the best in their future endeavours.

Research

During the course of the 2007/2008 year, Bionic Technologies Australia has made significant progress in all three of its research programs.

Bionic Technologies Australia is a joint venture established between The Bionic Ear Institute, St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne), CSIRO Molecular & Health Technologies, CSIRO Textile & Fibre Technology, The University of Wollongong and Polynovo Biomaterials Pty Ltd. The 2007/08 year was our second year of operation where we sought to deliver outcomes from our applied research efforts.

The group of dissociated sensory nerve cell bodies at right have sprouted axons (highlighted by the green immunofluorescent stain) in culture. The Bionic Technologies Australia nerve repair team led by Associate Professor Rob Kapsa are using these cells to test the biocompatibility of polymers for neural conduit devices. (Image courtesy of Dr Anita Quigley.)BIONIC

TECHNOLOGIESAUSTRALIA


Peripheral Nerve Repair

Our Peripheral Nerve Repair Program utilises tubular polymer scaffolds with inbuilt features to encourage nerve growth initially aimed at repairing traumatic nerve damage in limbs. The device under development is designed to replace a segment of damaged nerve by being sutured between the ends of the nerve and encouraging new nerve growth down the conduit. During the course of the year we were successfully able to fabricate the tubular polymer scaffolds and are now testing their performance in a rat sciatic nerve model. Significant effort was required to produce these scaffolds requiring the input of biologists, polymer chemists, and milling and knitting expertise.

Infection control for implantable devices

Two new technologies have emerged from the Infection Control Program. The first is a technology that allows an antibiotic to be blended in a polymer coating in sufficient concentration to ensure as it elutes from the polymer a minimum bacterial inhibitory concentration is achieved some distance from the surface of the coat. This technology is being used to develop a device coating that minimises the risk of bacterial infection following implantation. The second technology is a drug-polymer conjugate technology that enables production of polymer materials that contain more than 50% by weight drug, with the drug covalently attached to the polymer. While the technology is also being investigated for the infection control coating application it has potential broad application being particularly suited to release of drugs from device components. Bionic Technologies Australia is seeking new partners and capital providers to fund future development of the technologies arising from the Infection Control Program.

Early treatment of epileptic seizures with anti-epileptic devices

The Epilepsy Control Program will interface signal processing technology with direct brain stimulation to produce an electronic implantable device implant for the recognition and control of epileptic seizures either by the stimulation of target regions within the central nervous system or by the controlled release of therapeutic drugs. During the course of the 2007/2008 year we were able to clearly show seizure termination in a rat model with one of our therapeutic stimulation paradigms. An exciting result indeed. Our challenge moving forward is to demonstrate the robustness of the seizure termination paradigm and translate the rat result to a demonstrable seizure termination in a human subject. Bionic Technologies Australia is seeking new partners and capital providers to fund future development of this new therapeutic stimulation paradigm arising from the Epilepsy Control Program.

Success arising from any one of these programs is likely to have a significant impact on patient health and well being and on Victoria’s economic growth. Commercialisation strategies are now in place for all three programs with strong prospects for company formation and technology licensing.

Governance and Management

Bionic Technologies Australia is governed by a Board comprising nominees from each of the members and an independent chair, Mr Rob Trenberth. The Board has overall responsibility for the administration of Bionic Technologies Australia and has established a Centre Executive to conduct the day to day management. The Centre Executive comprises the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Russell Tait, each of three Program Leaders; Professor Mark Cook (St Vincent’s) - Epilepsy Program Leader, Associate Professor Rob Kapsa (The Bionic Ear Institute) - Neural Repair Program Leader and Dr Mike O’Shea (CSIRO) - Infection Control Program Leader.

Relationships

One of the important roles of Bionic Technologies Australia is to foster new relationships with key partners interested in our research programs. Only through close working relationships and collaboration will successful research outcomes be achieved. In addition to the established relationship of the members, Bionic Technologies Australia has continued to cultivate existing relationships with the research partners, The University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Victorian College of Pharmacy (Monash University). We also continue to actively engage potential industry partners with a number of confidentiality agreements signed during the course of the year. We have also started active engagement with the venture capital community and have formal arrangements in place with Stone Ridge Venture, Brandon Capital, Starfish Ventures and SciVentures to allow due diligence to be conducted on the opportunities emerging from Bionic Technologies Australia. Finally, we would like to gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the Victorian Government through the $6million STI grant.

Dr Russell TaitCEO, Bionic Technologies Australia


Book Chapters

1. Kapsa, R., Wong, S. H., & Quigley, A. (2008). Electroporation of Corrective Nucleic Acids (CNA) In Vivo to Promote Gene Correction in Dystrophic Muscle. In S. Li (Ed.), Electroporation Protocols (pp. 390-404). New York: Springer.

Journal Articles

1. Backhouse, S., Coleman, B. & Shepherd, R. K. (in press). Surgical access to the mammalian cochlea for cell-based therapies. Experimental Neurology.

2. Burkitt, A. N. (2007). Book Review of Computational Neuroscience: A Comprehensive Approach. Network: Computation in Neural Systems, 18(1), 5-9.

3. Burkitt, A. N. & Trengove C. (2007). Transmission of spiking-rate information through layered networks: The role of recurrent and feedback connections. In Proceedings of the Sixteenth Annual Computational Neuroscience (CNS) Meeting 2007, Toronto, 7-12 July 2007. BMC Neuroscience, 8(Suppl 2), p. 24.

4. Cant, N. B., Malmierca, M. S., Storm-Mathisen, J., & Irvine, D. R. F. (2008). From cochlea to cortex: A tribute to Kirsten Kjelsberg Osen. Neuroscience, 154, 1-9.

5. Coleman, B., de Silva, M. G., & Shepherd, R. K. (2007). The potential of stem cells for auditory neuron generation and replacement. Stem cells, 25, 2685-2694.

6. Coleman, B., Hardie, N. A., de Silva, M.G. & Shepherd, R. K. (in press). A protocol for cryoembedding the adult guinea pig cochlea for fluorescence immunohistology. J Neuroscience Methods.

7. Eager, M. A., Grayden, D. B., Meffin, H. & Burkitt, A. N. (2007). Constraining neural microcircuits with surrogate physiological data and genetic algorithms. In Proceedings of the Sixteenth Annual Computational Neuroscience (CNS) Meeting 2007, Toronto, 7-12 July 2007. BMC Neuroscience, 8(Suppl 2), p. 16.

8. Evans, A., Thompson, B., Wallace, G., Millard, R., O’Leary, S., Clark, C., Shepherd, R. & Richardson R. T. (accepted). Promoting neurite outgrowth from auditory nerve explants grown on electrically stimulated polypyrrole/BDNF polymers. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A.

9. Fallon, J. B., Irvine, D., & Shepherd, R. K. (2008). Cochlear implants and brain plasticity. Hearing Research, 238(1-2), 110-117.

10. Gilson, M., Burkitt, A. N. & van Hemmen, J. L. (2007). The learning dynamics of spike-timing-dependent plasticity in recurrently connected networks. In Proceedings of the Sixteenth Annual Computational Neuroscience (CNS) Meeting 2007, Toronto, 7-12 July 2007. BMC Neuroscience, 8(Suppl 2), p. 190.

11. Guipponi M., Toh M. Y., Tan J., Park D., Hanson K., Ballana E., et al. (2007). An integrated genetic and functional analysis of the role of type II transmembrane serine proteases (TMPRSSs) in hearing loss. Human Mutation, 29, 130-141.

12. Guipponi, M., Tan, J., Cannon, P. Z. F., Donley, L., Crewther, P., Clarke, M., et al. (2007). Mice deficient for the type II transmembrane serine protease, TMPRSS1/hepsin, exhibit profound hearing loss. American Journal of Pathology, 171, 608-616.

13. Heffer, L. F. & Fallon, J. B. (2008). A novel stimulus artifact removal technique for high-rate electrical stimulation. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 170, 277-284.

14. Huang, C., Tykocinski, M., Stathopoulos D. and Cowan, R. S. C. (2007). Effects of steroids and lubricants on electrical impedance and tissue response following cochlear implantation. Cochlear Implants International, 8(3), 123 - 147.

15. Hurley, P. A., Shepherd, R. K., & Crook, J. M. (2007). Schwann cells revert to non-myelinating phenotypes in the deafened rat cochlea. European Journal of Neuroscience, 26(7), 1813-1821.

16. James, D., Eastwood, H., Richardson, R. T., & O’Leary, S. J. (2007). Effects of round window dexamethasone on residual hearing in a guinea pig model of cochlear implantation. Audiology & Neurotology, 13, 86-96.

PUBLICATIONS


17. Levay, E. A., Govic, A., Penman, J., Paolini, A. G., & Kent, S. (in press). Effects of adult-onset calorie restriction on anxiety-like behavior in rats. Physiology & Behavior.

18. Millard R. E., Shepherd R. K. (2007). A fully implantable stimulator for use in small laboratory animals. J Neurosci Methods, 166(2), 168-77.

19. Moore, D. R., Shepherd, R. K. (2008). The auditory brain - a tribute to Dexter R.F. Irvine. Hearing Research, 238(1-2), 1-2.

20. Pettingill, L., Minter, R., & Shepherd, R. K. (2008). Schwann cells genetically modified to express neurotrophins promote spiral ganglion neuron survival in vitro. Neuroscience, 152(3), 821-828.

21. Shepherd, R. K., Coco, A., Epp, S. B. (2008). Neurotrophins and electrical stimulation for protection and repair of spiral ganglion neurons following sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing Research, 242(1-2), 100-9.

22. Shivdasani, M. N., Mauger, S. J., Rathbone, G. D., Paolini, A. G. (2008). Inferior colliculus responses to multichannel microstimulation of the ventral cochlear nucleus: implications for auditory brain stem implants. J Neurophysiol, 99(1), 1-13.

23. Wei B. P., Clark G. M., O’Leary S. J., Shepherd R. K., Robins-Browne R. M. (2007). Meningitis after cochlear implantation. British Medical Journal, 335(7629), p.1058.

24. Wei, B. P., Robbins-Browne, R., Shepherd, R. K., Clark, G. M., & O’Leary, S. J. (2008). Can we prevent cochlear implant recipients from developing pneumococcal meningitis? Clinical Infectious Diseases, 46(1), e1-e7.

25. Wei, B., Clark, G. M., Robbins-Browne, R., & O’Leary, S. J. (in press). Pneumococcal meningitis post cochlear implantation: development of an animal model. Otology & Neurotology.

26. Wei, B., Robbins-Browne, R., Shepherd, R. K., Azzopardi, K., Clark G. M. & O’Leary, S. J. (2007). Assessment of the protective effect of pneumococcal vaccination in preventing meningitis after cochlear implantation. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 133(10), 987-994.

27. Wei, B., O’Leary S. J., & Dowell, R. C. (2007). Cochlear implantation: one or two? The Lancet, 370, 719-720.

28. Wong, L. L. N., Vandali. A. E., Ciocca, V., Luk, B., Ip, V. W. K., Murray, B., Yu, H. C., and Chung, I. (2008). New cochlear implant coding strategy for tonal language speakers. International Journal of Audiology, 47(6), 337-47.

29. Wong, S. H., Lowes, K. N., Bertoncello, I., Quigley, A. F., Simmons, P. J., Cook, M. J., Kornberg, A. J. & Kapsa, R. M. (2007). Evaluation of Sca-1 and c-Kit as selective markers for muscle remodelling by nonhemopoietic bone marrow cells. Stem cells, 25(6), 1364-1374.

30. Wong, S., Lowes, K. Bertoncello, I. Quigley, A., Kita, M. Simmons, P. Cook, M., Kornberg, A. & Kapsa. R. (2007). Identification of muscle-remodelling non-hemopoietic bone marrow stem cells using the stem cell factor receptor, c-Kit. Journal of Gene Medicine, 9(6), 542-542.

31. Xu, J., Briggs, R., Tykocinski, M., Newbold, C., Risi, F., Cowan, R., (in press). Seeing electrode movement in the cochlea: Micro-focus fluoroscopy – a great tool for electrode development. Cochlear Implants International, Supplement for 6th APSCI.

32. Youssoufian M, Couchman K, Shivdasani M. N., Paolini A.G., Walmsley B. (2008). Maturation of auditory brainstem projections and calyces in the congenitally deaf (dn/dn) mouse. J Comp Neurol, 506(3), 442-51.

Invited Conference Presentations

1. Fallon, J. B., Irvine, D., & Shepherd, R. K. (2007, Jul 07-11). Cochlear implants and brain plasticity. Paper presented at The Auditory Brain Conference: A Tribute to Professor Dexter Irvine, Lorne, Victoria, Australia.

2. Irvine, D. (2007, Nov). Auditory System Plasticity and Auditory Prostheses. Keynote Speaker. Paper presented at the Bringing Together the Science and Practice of Hearing Prostheses, ARC Human Communication Science Network, Sydney, Australia.

3. Landry, T. G., Wise, A. K., Fallon, J. B. & Shepherd, R. K. (2008, Jan 31). Functional effects of exogenous neurotrophins in the deafened cochlea. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 5th Australasian Auditory Neuroscience Workshop, Hobart, Tasmania. Australia.

4. Mauger, S. J., Shivdasani, M. N., Rathbone, G. D. & Paolini, A. G. (2008, Jan 27-30). Frequency specific activation of inferior colliculus neurons through penetrating brainstem microstimulation. Paper presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

5. Nayagam, D. A. X., Clarey, J. C., & Paolini, A. G. (2008, Jan 31). The tale of the VCLL. Talk presented at the 5th Australasian Auditory Neuroscience Workshop. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

6. Perry, D. W. J., Fallon, J. B., Grayden, D. B., Millard, R. and Shepherd, R. K. (2008, Jan 27-30). Research cochlear implant for small laboratory animals. Paper presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

7. Richardson, R. T., Wise, A., Thompson, B., Flynn, B., Fretwell, N., Fallon, J., et al. (2007, Oct 20-Nov 02). Joining the cochlear implant and the auditory nerve - dendritic growth on polymers. Paper presented at the 6th Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implant and Related Sciences, Sydney, Australia.


8. Shepherd, R. K. (2007, Nov.). Sustainable delivery of neurotrophins to the inner ear. Paper presented at the 6th Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implants and Related Sciences, Sydney, Australia.

9. Shepherd, R. K. (2007, July 16-20). Trophic factors and the Electrode/Neural Interface. Paper presented at the Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses, Lake Tahoe, California.

10. Shepherd, R. K. (2008, Feb 16-21). Neurotrophin delivery for sensorineural hearing loss. Paper presented at the Association for Research in Otolaryngology Thirty-first Annual Midwinter Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

11. Shivdasani M. N., Mauger S. J., Rathbone G. D. & Paolini A. G. (2008, Jan 27-30). Dual Site Stimulation in the Ventral Cochlear Nucleus: Insights into Penetrating Auditory Brainstem Implant Design. Paper presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Conference Presentations

1. Andrew, J., Geaney, M., Wise, A., Pettingill, L., Skinner, S., & Shepherd, R. K. (2007, Jul 12-17). Therapeutic potential of encapsulated neuroprotective cells in the cochlea. Paper presented at the 7th Annual International Brain Research Organization World Congress of Neuroscience, Melbourne, Australia.

2. Barutchu, A., Innes-Brown, H., Shivdasani, M., Crewther, S. G., & Paolini, A. (2008, Jun). An elecrophysiological study of the development of multisensory facilitation in children. Poster presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Melbourne, Australia.

3. Burkitt, A. N., Trengove, C. (2007, Jul 7-12). Transmission of spiking-rate information through layered networks: The role of recurrent & feedback connections. Poster presented at the Sixteenth Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting, Toronto, Canada.

4. Byrnes, S., Burkitt, A. N., Grayden, D. B., Meffin, H., Trengove, C. (2007, Dec 7-9). A mechanism for temporal pattern learning and recognition in neural systems. Poster presented at the 2nd Australian Workshop on Mathematical & Computational Neuroscience, Mt Lofty, Adelaide, Australia.

5. Campbell, L. J., Sly, D. J., & O’Leary, S. J. (2007, Jul 12-17). An electrically-stimulated auditory nerve model: Testing with variable amplitude pulse trains derived from speech. Poster presented at the 7th Annual International Brain Research Organization World Congress of Neuroscience, Melbourne, Australia.

6. Chen J., Minett A. I., Liu Y., Liu X., Gilmore K., Nayagam D. A. X., Shipham K., Kapsa R., Clark G., Wallace G. G. (2008, June). Nanostructured electromaterials for bio-applications. Paper presented at the Asia-Pacific Symposium on Nanobionics, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

7. Eager, M. A., Grayden, D. B., Meffin, H., Burkitt, A. N. (2007, Jul 7-12). Constraining neural mircocircuits with surrogate physiological data and genetic algorithms. Paper presented at the Sixteenth Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting, Toronto, Canada.

8. Evans, A., Thompson, B., Wallace, G. G., Millard, R., O’Leary, S. J., Shepherd, R. K., et al. (2007, Oct 03-04). Promoting neurite outgrowth from electrically stimulated Ppy/pTS/BDNF polymers. Paper presented at the ARC Centre for Excellence for Electromaterials Science Annual Workshop, Melbourne, Australia.

9. Evans, A., Thompson, B., Wallace, G. G., Millard, R., O’Leary, S. J., Shepherd, R. K., et al. (2008, Jan 31). Promoting neurite outgrowth from electrically stimulated Ppy/pTS/BDNF polymers. Paper presented at the 5th Australasian Auditory Neuroscience Workshop. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

10. Fallon, J. B., Irvine, D., Donley, L., & Shepherd, R. K. (2007a, Jul 15-20). Plastic changes in the primary auditory cortex of the deafened cat resulting from cochlear implantation. Paper presented at the Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses, Lake Tahoe, California.

11. Fallon, J. B., Irvine, D., & Shepherd, R. K. (2007b, Jul 12-17). Plastic changes in the primary auditory cortex of the deafened cat resulting from cochlear implantation. Paper presented at the International Brain Research Organisation World Congress of Neuroscience, Melbourne, Australia.

12. Fallon, J. B., Irvine, D. R. F. & Shepherd, R. K. (2008a, 16-18 Jun). Changes in the cochleotopic organization of primary auditory cortex resulting from chronic deafness and cochlear implantation. Paper presented at the Thirty-Eighth Neural Interfaces Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

13. Fallon, J. B., Wise, A. K. & Shepherd, R. K. (2008b, February 16-21). Factors affecting neural response telemetry recordings in the chronically stimulated cat. Paper presented at the Thirty-First Annual Midwinter Research Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

14. Gilson, M., Burkitt, A. N., & van Hemmen, J. L. (2007, Jul 8-12,). The learning dynamics of spike-timing-dependent plasticity in recurrently connected networks. Poster presented at the Sixteenth Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting Toronto, Canada.


15. Gilson, M., Burkitt, A. N., van Hemmen, J. L., Grayden, D. B. and Thomas, D.A. (2007, Nov 13-16). Spike-timing dependent plasticity in recurrently connected networks with fixed external inputs. Paper presented at the 14th International Conference on Neural Information Processing, ICONIP 2007, Kitakyushu, Japan.

16. Grayden, D. B., Mar, J. S., Kentler, W. G. & Burkitt, A. N. (2007, Oct 30–Nov 2). Comparing speech perception performance between STAR and ACE speech processing strategies. Paper presented at The 6th Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implant and Related Sciences (APSCI 2007), Sydney, Australia.

17. Heffer, L. F., Sly, D. J., Fallon, J. B., White, M., Shepherd, R. K., & O’Leary, S. J. (2007, Jul 15-20). Response properties of electrically stimulated auditory nerve fibers. Paper presented at the Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses, Lake Tahoe, California.

18. Heffer, L. F. and Fallon, J. B. (2008, Jan 27-30). A novel stimulus artefact removal technique for high-rate electrical stimulation. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

19. Innes-Brown, H., Barutchu, A., Shivdasani, M., & Paolini, A. (2008, Jun 27-30). Flash VEP is reduced in children when preceded by an audio-visual stimulus. Poster presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Melbourne, Australia.

20. Mauger S. J., Shivdasani M. N., Rathbone G. D. & Paolini A. G. (2007, Jul 12-17) Auditory brainstem implant stimulation strategies - An electrophysiological assessment technique. Paper presented in the Proceedings of the International Brain Research Organisation World Congress of Neuroscience, Melbourne, Australia.

21. Mauger S. J., Shivdasani M. N., Rathbone G. D. & Paolini A. G. (2008, April 10-12). Inferior colliculus responses to microstimulation using a penetrating auditory brainstem implant. 10th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and other Implantable Technologies, San Diego, USA.

22. Millard, R. E., & Shepherd, R. K. (2007, Jul 15-20). A fully implantable stimulator for use in small laboratory animals. Paper presented at the Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses, Lake Tahoe, California.

23. Nayagam D. A. X., Clarey J. C., Paolini A. G. (2007, Jul 12-17). Extracellular and intracellular neural responses in the ventral complex of the lateral lemniscus. International Brain Research Organisation World Congress of Neuroscience, Melbourne, Australia.

24. Nayagam, D. A. X., Clarey, J. C., & Paolini, A. G. (2007, Dec 7-9). Neural Responses in the Ventral Complex of the Lateral Lemniscus. Paper presented at the 2nd Neural Stem Cells & Frontier Technologies for Brain Repair Workshop & the 2nd Australian Workshop in Computational Neuroscience, Mt. Lofty, Australia.

25. Paolini, A. G. , Nayagam, D. A. X. & Clarey, J. C. (2007, Jul 12-17). Inhibition induced neural delays, feature Extraction and binding in the auditory pathway. Paper presented at the proceedings of the 7th Annual International Brain Research Organization World Congress of Neuroscience, Melbourne, Australia.

26. Perry, D. W. J., Fallon, J. B., Grayden, D. B., Millard, R. E. & Shepherd, R. K. (2008, Jan 27-30). Research cochlear implant for small laboratory animals. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

27. Richardson, R. T., Wise, A., Thompson, B., Flynn, B., Fallon, J., Wallace, G., Shepherd, R., Clark, G., & O’Leary, S. (2008). Polypyrrole-coated electrodes for the delivery of charge and neurotrophins to cochlear neurons. Paper presented at the Asia-Pacific Symposium on Nanobionics, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

28. Richardson, R. T., Wise, A., Thompson, B., Flynn, B., Millard, R., Fallon, J., Shepherd, R., Clark, G., Wallace, G. & O’Leary, S. (2008, Jan). Polymer-coated electrodes for the delivery of charge and neurotrophins to cochlear neurons. Paper presented at the Australian Neuroscience Society, 28th Annual Meeting, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

29. Ryugo, D. K., Baker, C. A., Montey, K. L., Chang, L. Y., Coco, A., Fallon, J., et al. (2007, Jul 7-11). Synaptic plasticity in auditory nerve fibres of chemically-deafened and electrically-stimulated cats. Paper presented at The Auditory Brain Conference – A Tribute to Professor Dexter Irvine, Lorne, Victoria, Australia.

30. Shepherd, R. K., Coco, A., Wise, A., & Pettingill, L. N. (2007, Jul 15-20). Neurotrophins and electrical stimulation for protection and repair following sensorineural hearing loss. Paper presented at the Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses, Lake Tahoe, California.

31. Shepherd, R. K., Coco, A., Andrew, J., Wise, A. K., Xu, J., Pettingill, L. (2008, June 22-25). Medical Bionics and Neurotrophin Delivery: Staring at an Intersection of Two Emerging Disciplines. Paper presented at the Asia-Pacific Symposium on Nanobionics, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.


32. Shepherd, R. K., Coco, A., Andrew, J., Wise, A. K. and Pettingill, L. N. (2008, Feb 16-21). Delivery strategies for neurotrophin delivery into the inner ear for SGN protection following deafness. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the Thirty-First Annual Midwinter Research Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology. Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

33. Shepherd, R. K., Epp, S. B. & Coco, A. (2008, Jan 27-30). Electrical stimulation maintains spiral ganglion neurons following removal of exogenous neurotrophins. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

34. Shivdasani M. N., Mauger S. J., Rathbone G. D. and Paolini A. G. (2008, Jan). Dual site stimulation in the ventral cochlear nucleus: A new insight for penetrating auditory brainstem implants. Paper presented at the Australian Neuroscience Society, 28th Annual Meeting. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

35. Shivdasani M. N., Mauger S. J., Rathbone G. D. & Paolini A. G. (2008, April 10-12) Dual site stimulation in the ventral cochlear nucleus: A new insight for penetrating auditory brainstem implants. Paper presented at the 10th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and other Implantable Technologies, San Diego, USA.

36. Tan J., Widjaja S., Xu J., Shepherd R. (2007, Jul 12-17). Effects of sensorineural hearing loss and long-term cochlear implants of activity-dependent gene expression in the rat auditory cortex. Paper presented at the 7th Annual International Brain Research Organization World Congress of Neuroscience, Melbourne, Australia.

37. Tan J., Widjaja S., Xu J., Shepherd R. (2008, February 16-21). Cochlear implants stimulate activity-dependent CREB pathway in the deaf auditory cortex: implications for molecular plasticity induced by neural prosthetic devices. Paper presented at the Association for Research in Otolaryngology Thirty-first Annual Midwinter Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

38. Trengove, C. (2007, Jul 7-12). Storage capacity of a superposition of synfire chains using conductance-based integrate-and-fire neurons. Poster presented at the Sixteenth Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting, Toronto, Canada.

39. Trengove, C. (2008). Population-based limit-cycle oscillations in a compositional system of synfire chains: A proposal for rapid retrieval of large composite waves in a hierarchical, recursively compositional system. Poster presented at the Language and Neurons: Theoretical Approaches Symposium, Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Israel.

40. Tykocinski, M. (2007, Oct 31-Nov 2). Safe electrode design – an algorithmic approach to insertion trauma studies. Paper presented at the 6th Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implants and Related Sciences, Sydney, Australia.

41. Vandali, A. E. (2008, February 7-8). A pitch on the coding of melody in cochlear implants. Oral presentation, 2nd International Symposium on Cochlear Implants and Music. Zurich.

42. Wimberley, C. J., Fallon, J. B., Irvine, D. R. F. & Shepherd, R. K. (2008, Jan 27-30). Cochleotopic organisation of the central auditory pathway in the neonatally deafened cat. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

43. Wise, A. K., Fallon, J. B., Heasman, J. M. & Shepherd, R. K. (2008, Jan 27-30). Factors affecting neural response telemetry recordings in the chronically stimulated cat. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

44. Xu, J., Briggs, R., Tykocinski, M., Newbold, C., Risi, F. & Cowan, R., (2007, Oct 30-Nov 2). Seeing electrode movement in the cochlea: micro-focus fluoroscopy – a great tool for electrode development. 6th Asia Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implants and Related Sciences, Sydney, Australia.


KEVINPotential Bionic Eye recipient and Chair of Vision Australia, Kevin Murfitt has been totally blind since his early twenties, but with an active optic nerve, he could benefit from an implant.


Bionic Ear Institute research staff are actively involved in the supervision of PhD and Honours students. Students contribute significantly to the research conducted at The Bionic Ear Institute.

PhD Students

A number of students are undertaking their PhD studies at The Bionic Ear Institute in collaboration with enrolling Universities. The students enrolled in the 07/08 year include:

Andre Peterson – The Neurodynamics of Eplilepsy. Dept of Electrical Engineering, The University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Prof. Anthony Burkitt; Dr David Grayden; Prof. Iven Mareels; Prof. Mark Cook; Dr Hamish Meffin and Dr Levin Kuhlmann. (Australian Postgraduate Award I)

Daniel Taft - Travelling wave delays for the cochlear implant. Dept of Otolaryngology & Dept of Electrical Engineering, The University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Dr David Grayden and Prof. Anthony Burkitt. (Elizabeth & Vernon Puzey Posgraduate Research Scholarship- Faculty of Engineering, The University of Melbourne)

David Perry - Plastic reorganisation of the central auditory pathway with cochlear implant use. Dept of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Dr James Fallon, Prof. Rob Shepherd, Prof. Hugh McDermott (Melbourne Research Scholarship)

Dean Freestone - Epileptic Seizure Prediction and the Dynamics of the Electrical Fields of the Brain. Dept of Electrical Engineering, The University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Dr David Grayden, Prof. Anthony Burkitt, Prof. Mark Cook; Dr Levin Kuhlmann and Prof. Iven Mareels. (Australian Postgraduate Award I)

Jacqueline Andrew - Protecting the Auditory Nerve with Encapsulated Neuroprotective Cells. Dept of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Prof. Rob Shepherd; Dr Bryony Coleman; and Prof. Richard Dowell. (NH&MRC Dora Lush Biomedical Postgraduate Research Scholarship and a Harold Mitchell Postgraduate Student Travelling Fellowship)

Matthew Gilson – Learning in biological neural networks: Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity and emergence of functional pathways. Dept of Electrical Engineering, The University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Prof. Anthony Burkitt, Dr David Grayden, Dr Doreen Thomas. (NICTA)

Michael Eager – Modelling Neural Networks in the cochlear nucleus. Dept of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Dr David Grayden and Prof. Anthony Burkitt. (Melbourne Research Scholarship)

Mohit Shivdasani – Multichannel electrophysiology in the auditory brainstem and midbrain- new insights for penetrating auditory brainstem implants. LaTrobe University. Assoc. Prof. Tony Paolini and Mr Graeme Rathbone. (Australian Postgraduate Award and a Harold Mitchell Postgraduate Student Travelling Fellowship)

Stefan Mauger – Stimulation Strategies for Auditory Brainstem Implants auditory brainstem implants. LaTrobe University. Assoc. Prof. Tony Paolini and Mr Graeme Rathbone. (Australian Postgraduate Award; Information and Communication Technology Scholarship (ICT); Commercialisation Training Scheme Scholarship (CTS); and a Harold Mitchell Postgraduate Student Travelling Fellowship)

Tom Landry – Functional effects of exogenous neurotrophins in the deafened cochlea. Dept of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Prof. Rob Shepherd; Dr Andrew Wise and Dr James Fallon. (The Bartholomew Reardon PhD Scholarship- The Bionic Ear Institute)

EDUCATION



Honours Students

Three Bachelor of Science students completed their Honours year at the end of 2007. They were enrolled through the Department of Otolaryngology and were supervised by Bionic Ear Institute staff.

Alison Evans – Promoting and maintaining spiral ganglion neuron survival using polypyrrole/BDNF coated electrodes. Supervisor: Dr Rachael Richardson. Currently: Employed as a Research Assistant, The Bionic Ear Institute.

Patrick Atkinson – Gene Transfer for promoting nerve survival after deafness. Supervisor: Dr Rachael Richardson. Currently: Employed as a Research Assistant, Department of Biology at The University of Iowa, USA.

Stephanie Misalis – SGN regeneration using genetically modified Schwann cells that over-express neurotrophic factors. Supervisor: Dr Lisa Pettingill Currently: Travelling in Europe.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) is a scheme designed to give undergraduate students an early opportunity to experience real life in a research laboratory and gain insight into careers in biomedical research.

Students undertake a project which is part of the research program of a biomedical research laboratory. They are supervised by a research scientist in a mentoring role and work alongside other research staff and students in the team.

The Bionic Ear Institute participates in this Bio21 Cluster managed program by providing placement for students selected for UROP. This year we have had 4 UROP participants.

Holly Kong, a Bachelor of Applied Science student from RMIT was supervised by Dr Anita Quigley and completed her UROP placement at the Bionic Ear Institute in November 2007. Her project at the Bionic Ear Institute involved neural differentiation on conducting polymers and characterisation of transcriptional changes during neural differentiation.

Catriona Wimberley an electrical engineering student at Swinburne University completed her UROP placement under the supervision of Dr James Fallon at the Bionic Ear Institute in December 2007. Catriona’s research placement involved investigating the cochleotopic organisation of the auditory cortex of neonatally deafened animals in response to electrical stimulation provided by the cochlear implant.

Currently completing his Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree at the University of Melbourne, Michael Giummarra began his part-time research position with The Bionic Ear Institute as part of the UROP in December 2007. Michael is currently examining at the effects of chronic electrical stimulation, like that provided by a cochlear implant, on the cochlear nucleus. Working under the supervision of Dr James Fallon his project aims to address the changes in volume seen in the cochlear nucleus.

James Laird, a final year electrical engineering student at the University of Melbourne, is also currently participating in UROP. James is working on a prototype data collection device, designed to be carried by patients and used to record events such as epileptic seizures. The prototype is to be a device similar in size to a small MP3 player, so that it is convenient to carry all day, making it easier for patients to integrate into their lives. Under the supervision of Dr David Grayden, researchers at the University of Melbourne and The Bionic Ear Institute decided to explore the possibility of building an electronic seizure diary.

Human Resources Unit

The primary aims of the HR unit are to attract and retain high quality research and professional staff and to provide staff with professional development and rewards which support and promote continuous improvement and learning. The Unit ensures that the Institute complies with the statutory obligations in the area of employment and industrial law and supports the direction of the Institute through the development and implementation of policies and processes.

In 2007/2008 the HR Unit co-ordinated a pilot Mentor Program with the aim of increasing communication across the organization, enhancing the retention and transfer of skills knowledge and improving the skills and confidence levels of both mentors and their mentorees. Over the past 12 months the Institute continued to attract and recruit quality candidates in a number of research and administrative areas and ongoing policy development ensured the Institute’s commitment to providing a safe, harmonious, supportive and productive environment.

Information Resources Centre

The Calvert-Jones Information Resources Centre, located on the 3rd floor in Mollison House, provides research support to staff and students. The centre has a book and journal collection as well as access to electronic databases.

Services provided include locating and delivering information not available onsite, such as journal articles, conference proceedings and books, and compiling and storing research undertaken by the BEI. The Centre also co-ordinates staff research skills training, for example searching electronic databases and software programs.

The BEI’s archival collection is stored and managed at the IRC and consists of documents and items such as early cochlear implants.

Research Office

The Research Office assists in the process of preparing grant applications, submitting applications for new grants and managing the ongoing administration of all grants, which includes routine scientific and financial reporting. The Research Office is also responsible for completing government surveys related to research activities, managing licenses and compliance matters related to research.

This year, we were successful in our application to the National Institutes of Health (USA) investigating “The effects of intracochlear electrical stimulation on neural survival and connectivity”. Professor Rob Shepherd is the Principal Investigator on this grant, heading a team of researchers both from the BEI and collaborating organisations. Dr Justin Tan was awarded a Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation project grant, entitled ”Identifying neurotrophin processing as a potential target to treat sensorineural hearing loss.” We hope to add to this success in the coming year.

Intellectual Property & Commercialisation

The Bionic Ear Institute considers the research and the associated intellectual property (IP) generated by its researchers to be of great importance and value. The Institute is committed to working together with all staff to ensure that intellectual property, such as patents and trademarks, is identified, protected and managed so that staff can be appropriately rewarded for their research endeavours.

The Bionic Ear Institute is currently in collaboration with other research organisations, universities and industry in order to produce the clinical and commercial outcomes to benefit those in the community that would be aided by medical bionic devices such as people with a hearing impairment, epilepsy or spinal cord injury.

SUPPORTINGOURRESEARCH



Postgraduate Student Coordination

Students comprise nearly a quarter of our researchers; the majority are PhD students, but we also welcome Honours and Masters Students. Postgraduate students contribute significantly to our scientific success and the Institute actively seeks high calibre people who demonstrate initiative and independent thought. The main objectives of this function are to i) provide information to prospective postgraduate students on application procedures, research programs and support services and ii) provide support to current postgraduate students undertaking research at The Bionic Ear Institute.

Public Relations and Fundraising

The Public Relations and Fundraising team plays an important role in promoting the work of The Bionic Ear Institute to the community and to raise much needed funds for our research programs. Our team is responsible for the communications and fundraising programs including mail appeals, newsletters, partnerships, events and the volunteer ambassador program.

During 2007/2008 media highlights included coverage on the ABC’s 7:30 Report, featuring the Institute’s work, in collaboration with our partners, to develop a Bionic Eye.

Our volunteer ambassadors made 27 presentations to community groups throughout Victoria, including to Rotary International District 9790 clubs who supported the Institute as their chosen charity for the year. The Institute was also the chosen charity for the 2008 Point Nepean Musical Festival and we had an overwhelming response from supporters, volunteers and staff to help sell guitar pins at this event, raising $7000.

Information Technology

The Bionic Ear Institute’s research activities have an increasing demand for Information Technology support. The IT team provides an important service to Institute staff which includes: webpage updating; providing support for about 100 software packages; improving communications; ordering and installing computers and software; securing data storage and database support.

Major projects over this past year have included:

• Upgradingfirewall/Networkswitchesformaximumsecurity and improved network performance.

• Installingnew16TBStoragesolution–toaccommodateresearch activities that produce large amounts of data.

• Movingserversontovirtualisedplatformtohelpconsolidate all virtual servers on to one physical server.

• Establishingwirelessaccess.

Finance

The Board of the Bionic Ear Institute has established a Finance & Risk Management Committee. The primary role of this Committee is to monitor and review, on behalf of the Board, the effectiveness of the control environment of the Institute in the areas of operational and balance sheet risk, legal/regulatory compliance and financial reporting.

The Board have also delegated to an Investment Committee the responsibility to supervise, monitor and evaluate the Institute’s investments and funds in an effective manner.

The Finance department for The Bionic Ear Institute is charged with the responsibility of supporting the organisation with its financial and regulatory responsibilities. The department also fulfills a similar role for its major research collaborations, which include Bionic Technologies Australia and until the end of 2007, the CRC HEAR.

Gerald Edward Moriarty AMBE (Hons), CPEng, FIEAust, FTSE, FAICDChairman

Jack Smorgon AOAdvanced Management DiplomaVice-Chairman

Brian JamiesonFCADirector & Honorary Treasurer

James Alexander AngusBSc, PhD, FAADirector

John Alexander BrysonBMechEng, MBA (Melb), Director

Kathleen Dorothy JordanBA (Psych)Director

Iven Mareelsir (Ghent), PhD (ANU), FTSE, FIEEE, FIEAust, CPEng, MSIAMDirector

Jennifer Mary Louis PrescottDirector (until November 2007)

Field Winston RickardsBSc, MEd (Manc), PhDDirector

Li CunxinDirector

BOARDMEMBERS


Professor Robert ShepherdBSc, DipEd, PhDDirector

Professor Anthony BurkittBSc (Hons), PhD Assistant Director

Mr Tim GriffithsBBus, GradCert Export, MBTGeneral Manager

Mr Peter GoverBCompt(Hons),CA, CPA, ICAAChief Financial Officer

Ms Linda PetersonBSc,GradCertBusAdmExecutive Officer

Solicitors

Russell Kennedy 12/469 La Trobe St Melbourne VIC 3000

Freehills 101 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Auditors

Ernst & Young 120 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000

EXECUTIVEOFFICERS


Director

Professor Robert ShepherdBSc, DipEd, PhD

Founder and Director Emeritus

Laureate Emeritus ProfessorGraeme M Clark ACFRS, FAA, FTSE, FAAS, MB, BS, MS,PhD (Sydney), FRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS(England), FRACS, Hon MD (Hannover),Hon MD (Sydney), Hon DSc (Wollongong),Hon DEng (CYC Taiwan), Hon LLD (Monash),Hon FAudSA, Hon FRCS (England)

Assistant Directors

Professor Anthony BurkittBSc(Hons), PhD(on secondment)

Professor Stephen O’LearyMBBS, BMedSc, PhD, FRACS*(until April 2008)

General Manager, Associate Director and Company Secretary

Mr Tim GriffithsBBus, GradCertExport, GradDip (MarLogMgt), MBT

Chief Executive Officer, Bionic Technologies Australia

Dr Russell TaitBPharm, MPharm, PhD, MBA

Chief Financial Officer

Mr Peter GoverBCompt(Hons), CA, CPA, ICAA

Executive Officer

Ms Linda PetersonBSc, GradCertBusAdm

Honorary Special Research Fellows

Professor Peter BlameyBSc(Hons), PhD, GAICD

Professor Mark CookMBBS, FRACP, MD

Associate Professor Robert CowanBSc(Hons), MSc, MBA, PhD, DipAud,GrCertHlthEcon, GrDipTechMgt,FAudSA(CCP), FAAA, GAICD*

Professor Richard DowellBSc, DipAud,FAud SA (CCP), PhD*

Dr David GraydenBE(Hons), BSc, PhD*

Professor Hugh McDermottBAppSc, PhD*

Professor Stephen O’LearyMBBS, BMedSc, PhD, FRACS*

Associate Professor Jim PatrickBSc, MSc

Professor David RyugoPhD

Associate Professor Peter SeligmanBE, PhD

Dr Tong Yit ChowBE, PhD

Professor Gordon WallaceDSc, FTSE

Dr Ben WeiMB, BS, PhD

Mr Graeme RathboneMEng Sc, MIE Aust, CP Eng (Biomed)

Professorial Research Fellow

Professor Dexter IrvineBA(Hons), PhD, FASSA

Senior Program Adviser, Bionic Technologies Australia

Professor Roy Robins-BrowneMB, BCh, PhD, DTM&H, FRCPath, FRCPA, FASM*

Senior Research Fellows

Associate Professor Robert KapsaBSc(Hons), PhD, DipFM

Associate Professor Anthony PaoliniBSc(Hons), MPsych (ClinNeuro),PhD, MAPS

Associate Professor Chis WilliamsBSc, MSc(Hons), PhD

Dr Michael TykocinskiMD, FRACS

Research Fellows

Dr Sean ByrnesBSc/BA, PhD

Dr James FallonBE(Hons), BSc, PhD

Dr David NayagamBSc/Eng(Hons), PhD

Dr Lisa PettingillBSc(Hons), PhD

Dr Anita QuigleyBSc(Hons), PhD

Dr Rachael RichardsonBSc(Hons), PhD

Dr Justin TanBSc(Hons), DipEd, MSc, Dr rer nat

Dr Chris TrengoveBSc(Hons), PhD

Dr Richard van HoeselBE(Hons), PhD

Dr Andrew WiseBSc(Hons), PhD

Dr Jin XuMD, MMed, DipRad, MIR

STAFFMEMBERS


Visiting Research Fellows

Professor Simon HawkinsPhD Professor of Health SciencesUniversity of Canberra(On sabbatical)

Dr Matthew Trotter- TWJ FellowMBChB, MRCS, FRCS (ORL-HNS), M Clin Sci

Dr Fergal GlynnMD, BCh, BAO, LRCP & SI (Hons) AFRCSI

Research Engineers

Mr Mark HarrisonBE(Comm), GrDipDigCompEng

Mr Rodney MillardDipElecEng*

Mr Tim NelsonBSc, BEng (Hons), MIET,MEA,MEWBA

Mr Frank Nielsen*Electronic & CommunTechCert*

Mr Mohit ShivdasaniMEng(BioMed), BEng(BioMed)

Mr Andrew VandaliBE(Comm)

Research Manager

Dr David LawrenceBAppSc, PhD(until December 2007)

Research Officer

Ms Anne CocoBSc(Hons)(From January 2008)

Research Assistants

Ms Rebecca ArgentBSc

Ms Ayla BarutchuBBehavSc (Hons)

Ms Anne CocoBSc(Hons)(until December 2007)

Ms Alison EvansBSc (Hons)(from October 2007)

Ms Brianna FlynnBSc (Hons), DipLabTech(BioTech)

Ms Nicole FretwellBSc (Hons)(until August 2007)

Ms Kylie MageeBSc (Hons)(from September 2007)

Ms Meera UlaganathanBSc (Hons)(from March 2008)

Ms Dimitra StathopoulosBSc, DipAppSc

Ms Magda KitaBSc(Hons)

Mr Hamish Innes-BrownBCogSci(Hons)

Ms Elizabeth KennedyBSc, MSc

Ms Amy HallidayBSc(Hons)

Mr Alan LaiMEngSc(BiomedEng)(Cwk&MinThes)

Audiologists

Ms Jasmine MarBSc(Hons), MClinAud, MAudSA(CCP)(until March 2008)

Ms Alison HennessyBSc,MSc,DipAud (on secondment)*

Technical Assistant

Ms Lianne SalernoDip Animal Technology(from August 2007)

Post Graduate Research Students

Mr Matthew EagerBSc(Hons)

Ms Jacqueline AndrewBSc(Hons)

Mr Matthieu GilsonM Elec Eng, BEng

Mr Andre PetersonBSc(Hons)

Mr Daniel TaftBEng(Elec)Hons, BSc

Mr Dean FreestoneBBiomedE(Hons)

Mr Mohit ShivdasaniMEng(BioMed), BEng(BioMed)

Mr Stefan MaugerB.Eng (Hons)

Mr Tom LandryBSc(Hons)

Mr David PerryBE (Hons), BSc

Honours Students

Mr Patrick AtkinsonDepartment of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne

Ms Alison EvansDepartment of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne

Ms Stephanie MisalisDepartment of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

Michael GiumarraHolly Kong(Until November 2007)

James Laird

Catriona Wimberley(Until December 2007)

Information Technology Manager

Mr Stas SurowieckiDipNetEng & MCP

Information Technology Officer

Mr Andrew PurnamaB App Sci (IT)(From December 2007)

Human Resources Officer

Ms Susanne ClarkeBA(Psych)

Public Relations & Fundraising Manager

Ms Estelle HajigabrielBArts(until May 2008))

Acting Public Relations & Fundraising Manager

Mrs Glenis Cook(from June 2008)

Major Gifts Coordinator

Ms Helen WoodsBAAS EMBA

Donor Liaison Officer

Mrs Glenis Cook

Public Relations & Fundraising Assistants

Ms Nicole SaccaroMs Kathleen Parer

Personal Assistant to the Director

Ms Kristal SmithBAppSci

Executive Officer - CRC

Ms Treacy Block(until December 2007)

Administrative Staff

Mr Anthony McGregorBComm

Ms Pauline Graafmans(until November 2007)

Ms Rosie MarsicovetereAdv Dip Accounting(from December 2007)

Librarian

Mr Paul QuiltyBBus, MBus(IT)

Receptionists

Mrs Eleanor LeaupepeMrs Gabrielle Lemoyne

* Employed by the University of Melbourne



FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

A summarised financial report for The Bionic Ear Institute for the year ended 30 June 2008 is presented in this annual report on the following page.

This has been another successful financial year for the Institute achieving a surplus on continuing operations of $74,128, in what was considered a period of economic turbulence in Australia. After including realised gains on the disposal of investments, the surplus for the full year was $225,495.

There was a 5% increase in revenue from the previous year. While this appears to be a modest number, it is particularly pleasing as the Institute has managed to diversify its income sources, by reducing its dependence on Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) funding. For the first time, private trusts and foundations have become the largest source of funding at $1.8 million over the year. Specific acknowledgment of the generosity of these organisations is highlighted throughout the annual report.

The Victorian State Government contributed $1.3 million to the Institute over the last year, and continues to be an important source of research funding, which is evidence of their strong commitment to Innovation. A significant portion of this research funding is through a Science Technology Innovation grant which resulted in the formation of Bionic Technologies Australia, which is a collaborative venture between The Bionic Ear Institute, St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne), CSIRO, and The University of Wollongong. The Victorian State Government also provides infrastructure funding through the Operational Infrastructure Support Program. Operational Infrastructure Support funding helps the Institute put in place the necessary infrastructure to support its research.

The Institute was particularly pleased to be granted a further 5 year research contract by the National Institutes of Health in the United States; totalling US $ 2.9 million. This together with other overseas funding we receive through the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and The Royal National Institute for Deaf People in the United Kingdom, demonstrates the Institute’s growing international reputation.

There was a moderate increase in total expenditure of 6% over the previous year, which is attributable to an increase in research activity, and some consulting costs incurred in developing the Institute’s long-term strategic direction.

The Institute was not untouched by the recent collapse of world equity markets, as a significant part of its accumulated reserves is invested in this manner. In spite of the 15 % drop in the Australian equity market over the 2007/8 period, dividends earnings continued to be strong, minimising the impact on the Institute’s earnings. Nevertheless as a result, Institute funds, which includes accumulated surpluses and funds designated for specific research projects, decreased over the last year.

I remain confident that the Institute has a solid financial basis to grow its research capacity into the future.

Brian Jamieson, FCAHonorary Treasurer

TREASURER’SREPORT

SUMMARISED FINANCIAL REPORT

INCOME STATEMENT

YEAR ENDED 30 June 2008 2008 2007 $ $

CONTINUING OPERATIONS INCOME

Revenue from continuing operations 6,629,822 6,328,607

EXPENDITURE

Employee benefits expense ( 4,242,063) ( 4,223,047)

Consultant fees ( 356,492 ) ( 262,344)

Conference events expenses ( 61,609 ) ( 248,995)

Property and facilities expenses ( 122,813 ) ( 131,211)

Depreciation and amortisation expense ( 345,845 ) ( 292,884)

Fundraising activities ( 168,050 ) ( 208,658)

Research consumables ( 509,865 ) ( 446,586)

Research contributions to collaborators ( 265,000 ) -

Intellectual property and legal expenses ( 85,254 ) ( 46,913)

Interest paid ( 89 ) ( 3,333)

Other expenses from continuing operations ( 398,614 ) ( 327,270)

TOTAL EXPENDITURE ( 6,555,694 ) ( 6,191,241)

SURPLUS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 74,128 137,366

Profit on disposal of shares 151,367 1,592,767

SURPLUS FROM TOTAL OPERATIONS 225,495 1,730,133

STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME & EXPENSES

YEAR ENDED 30 June 2008 2008 2007 $ $

Net gain/(loss) on available for-sale financial assets ( 3,398,953) 553,462

NET INCOME RECOGNISED DIRECTLY TO EQUITY ( 3,398,953) 553,462

Surplus for the year recognised in the income statement 225,495 1,730,133

TOTAL RECOGNISED INCOME & EXPENSES FOR THE PERIOD ( 3,173,458) 2,283,595


SUMMARISED FINANCIAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

BALANCE SHEET

YEAR ENDED 30 June 2008 2008 2007 $ $

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash assets 2,486,065 2,030,468

Receivables 1,837,308 1,388,245

Prepayments 78,168 107,976

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 4,401,541 3,526,689

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Other financial assets 13,762,727 17,390,552

Property, plant and equipment 2,763,218 2,836,122

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 16,525,945 20,226,674

TOTAL ASSETS 20,927,486 23,753,363

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Payables 695,913 340,721

Provisions 674,704 649,234

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,370,617 989,955

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Provisions 139,561 172,642

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 139,561 172,642

TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,510,178 1,162,597

NET ASSETS 19,417,308 22,590,766

INSTITUTE FUNDS

Reserves 8,643,530 12,435,874

Accumulated funds 10,773,778 10,154,892

TOTAL INSTITUTE FUNDS 19,417,308 22,590,766

AUDIT REPORT

To the Members of The Bionic Ear Institute

We have audited the attached Balance Sheet of The Bionic Ear Institute as at 30 June, 2008 and the Income Statement, and Statement of Recognised Income & Expenses for the year then ended, in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.

In our opinion, the information reported in this summarised financial report is consistent with the annual statutory financial report from which it is derived and upon which we expressed an unqualified audit opinion. For a better understanding of the scope of our audit, this report should be read in conjunction with our audit report on the annual statutory financial report.

Ernst & Young R. Bruce DungeyMelbourne, September 2008 Partner


Bequests

The Estate of the late Mrs June ManssonHilton White Bequest.

$150,000 plus

John T Reid Charitable Trusts Macquarie Group FoundationThe Garnett Passe & Rodney Williams Memorial FoundationThe Ian Potter Foundation

$50,000 - $149,999

Jack & Robert Smorgon Families FoundationSoma Health Pty LtdStavros Niarchos Foundation Tattersall’s George Adams FoundationThe Marian & E H Flack TrustThe Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID UK)Victorian Lions Foundation Inc

$20,000 - $49,999

Percy Baxter Charitable TrustRobert C Bulley Charitable FundHelen McPherson Smith TrustHilton White BequestTrust Company as trustee for the Frederick & Winifred Grassick Memorial Fund

$10,000 - $19,999

Miss Betty Amsden OAMHarold Mitchell FoundationMr & Mrs G J & M A JorgensonBruce Parncutt and Robin CampbellPierce Armstrong TrustThe Sunshine Foundation

Victorian Foundation for the Promotion of Oral Education of the Deaf managed by ANZ Trustees Limited

$5,000 - $9,999

Robert Albert AO RFD RDChristine BrownHeymanson Family Foundation Nell & Hermon Slade TrustDame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBEMr Baillieu MyerState TrusteesThe Calvert-Jones FoundationThe Corio Foundation

$1,000 - $4,999

Mr L J CohnMrs Pamela DeSautyWes & Jane DunnEric Ormond Baker Charitable Fund managed by Equity Trustees LimitedEscor GroupMr Arthur FosterMr & Mrs A R GardnerMiss Helen GlascodineMs Joan GrantMrs Barbara HaynesMrs June HilliarGerry Moriarty AM & Sue MoriartyPeter & Sally RedlichJohn & Marlene RedmondMichael Robinson AO & Judith RobinsonMobil Distress FundProfessor Robert ShepherdRoyal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalMrs Joan White PSMThe Blackley FoundationThe William Angliss (Victoria) Charitable FoundationMr Ian Young

$250 - $999

All Green Nursery & Garden SuppliesApex Club – Hoppers CrossingGordon & Irene BaddeleyMr V J BertramMr & Mrs E & D BourkeMr & Mrs C J Brown Mrs Marion BrownMrs Diana BrowningMr Bruce CahoonMrs J M CassellDr K S CrowleyDr David Dunn & Mrs Anne DunnMr John ForsythMs Val GallahawkMr Peter Gover

Mrs Laurie GwillimMr Ivor JohnsonStephen & Jenny KernahanMrs Helen LusherMr Ronald McKinnonDominic & Mary MarozziProfessor David Penington ACMr & Mrs W J StevensMrs Yvonne SullivanTexi Pty LtdMr & Mrs Peter ThomasMiss Joan WilliamsSir Edward Woodward AC OBE

We are grateful to all the other individuals and companies, particularly our monthly givers, who donated and supported us throughout the year. Your contributions to our medical research programs make a difference.

Major Partner

Woodards

Corporate Partners

Carrier Air Conditioning Pty LtdCity of Booroondara Corporate Image Design Pty LtdMacquarie Group LimitedPrincipals Russell Kennedy Pty Ltd

Community Partners

Rotary International District 9790Redmond Family

AMBASSADORS & VOLUNTEERS

Our very grateful thanks to all our ambassadors and volunteers, supported by their families, who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to help raise funds and promote the Institute.

We also wish to make a special thank you to all our supporters, their families and friends, who generously helped over Easter weekend at the 2008 Point Nepean Music Festival.

Without the enthusiasm and generosity of all our volunteers and ambassadors our public relations and fundraising activities would not be possible.

Our medical research would not be possible without these wonderful contributions over the past year. We acknowledge the support from the following estates, charitable trusts, foundations and donors.


The Bionic Ear Institute’s research activities are in four major themes: (i) work with cochlear implants to improve speech processing, musical appreciation and drug delivery in the inner ear; (ii) developing a Bionic Eye in collaboration with our research partners; (iii) targeted drug delivery systems and (iv) brain implants for a range of illnesses such epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease and spinal cord injury.

If you wish to make a donation to a specific research program or establish a postgraduate scholarship we would be happy to honour your request.

Donations

Donations to The Bionic Ear Institute over $2.00 are tax deductible and payment can be made by:

• Cheque–madepayabletoTheBionicEarInstitute

• Creditcard–phone0396677500orfax0396677518

• Online–viathefreeonlinedonationservice, Our Community, www.ourcommunity.com.au

Regular Giving

By making a regular monthly commitment to The Bionic Ear Institute you can help support long term research. You can set up your tax deductible gift from as little as $10 per month (33 cents a day) using automatic credit card payments. The donation can be changed or cancelled at any time.

Bequests

Leaving a bequest is a wonderful practical way of helping to make a real difference to people’s lives. All bequests, large and small, contribute significantly to our important medical research programs and will help many children and adults enjoy a better quality of life.

Please contact us to obtain a copy of our Bequest brochure or to discuss, in confidence, leaving a bequest in your Will.

Memorial Gifts

A memorial gift is a thoughtful way to honour the memory of a loved one, and at the same time help someone in the future. The Bionic Ear Institute welcomes memorial gifts and can provide personalised memorial giving forms for distribution at a funeral or memorial service.

To obtain more information on donations, memorial gifts and bequests please contact our Public Relations and Fundraising Manager on 03 9667 7500 or email [email protected]

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE BIONIC EARINSTITUTE?


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07 08THE BIONIC EAR INSTITUTE

22nd Annual Report 2007-2008

384-388 Albert StreetEast Melbourne Victoria 3002 Australia

T +61 3 9667 7500 F +61 3 9667 7518E [email protected] www.bionicear.org

ABN 56 006 580 883ACN 006 580 883

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