ZooTechWorksTM                                        (NatureWorksTM- The Next Regeneration)

About

NatureWorks- Using organic evolution for the regenerative sciences.

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The NatureWorks venture was founded in 2015, in Hong Kong, by Dr David W. Green (HKU), Professor Ken Lee (CUHK) and Dr Gregory Watson and Dr Jolanta Watson (USC, Australia). We wanted to establish a structure to develop biomedical technologies that have been inspired by natural innovations. This is in a similar vein to other organisations around the globe doing similar ventures such as, Wyss Institute in Boston and San Diego Zoo. Our philosophy is to learn more deeply about natural adaptations and their unique solutions to problems and manufacture ways of translating them into resolving equivalent problems facing the regenerative sciences. This approach is outlined in a recent publication in the Journal of Materials Chemistry B. At the foundation of our approach to generating new technologies is the harnessing of biological taxonomic, evolutionary databases and living collections in zoos and botanical gardens, as well as field investigations in the "NatureLab". Our intention is not to experiment heavily and destroy our natural subjects, but to observe and study. The study of natural histories and the true meaning of adaptations, strategies and functions of nature based materials and structure innovations is where we begin our process. Our expertise is on good imaging of our models, at many scales, modelling and fabrication. Our principal tools are X-Ray microscopy (Zeiss synchnotron), laser confocal microscopy (Zeiss) (imaging), modelling (Mimics software, Solidworks), CAD/CAM transformations and fabrication using microcontact printing and 3D biorpinting (GESIM).

 

NatureWorks was conceived and founded in early 2015 at the Stem Cell and Regeneration Group led by Professor Ken Lee at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.  AT present it is self-funded. We are now actively searching for external funding to set-up a dedicate lab space and facilities to convert our translations into technological products.

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