Adrian West, PhD

Research summary

The long-term goal of Dr. Adrian West’s research program is to develop novel bioengineering technologies to create physiologically relevant experimental models of complex tissues. These technologies underpin ongoing fundamental research into how the mechanical environment modulates basic cellular processes, and how this manifests functionally at the tissue and organ level. Most notably, the laboratory uses three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting to create functional muscle tissue from cultured human and animal muscle cells. This 3D bioprinted muscle behaves just like a real muscle in the body. Through an academic-industrial partnership with Aspect Biosystems and a network of academic collaborators, uptake of these technologies is also fueling collaborative projects with significant commercial and biomedical research potential.

Dr. Adrian West was trained in ‘classic’ physiology at the University of Western Australia, using traditional cell culture and organ bath techniques to study how mechanical strain regulates force development in airway smooth muscle. Realizing that engineers get to play with the coolest toys, Adrian undertook his second postdoc in biomedical engineering at Dalhousie University, where he used novel three-dimensional (3D) tissue engineering techniques to study how changes in tissue stiffness might contribute to airway smooth muscle contraction in asthma. At UM, Adrian’s independent research program now uses 3D bioprinting technology to create highly accessible and physiologically-relevant experimental models of multiple muscle tissues. A particular focus is placed on how the extracellular matrix, fibroblasts and abnormal developmental conditions modulate contractile function in health and disease.

Education

Canadian Institutes of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (biomedical engineering), Dalhousie University (2009-2013)

Postdoctoral Fellowship (physiology), University of Western Australia (2007-2009)

Doctor of Philosophy (physiology), University of Western Australia (2001-2006)

Bachelor of Science (honours, physiology), University of Western Australia (1997-2001)

Awards

2021

• ‘Inspiration’ Teaching Award, Class of 2023 Manitoba Medical Students Association

2013

• Outstanding Junior Investigator Award, American Physiological Society

2011

• Community Builder Prize (Outstanding Leadership), Dalhousie School of Biomedical Engineering

2010-2012

• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Rx&D Partnership

2010-2011

• Postdoctoral Research Award, Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation

2009

• Research Skills Award, Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation

2002-2006

• Australia Postgraduate Award, Australian Government