Ear Science Institute Australia researcher Dr Pramod Dorishetty has received funding to develop a natural, silk-based wound packing material to treat chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM).
The Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund, under the Western Australian Department of Health, awarded the research scientist an innovation fellowship.
The $106,569 grant will support his research on the fabrication of tuneable silk packing materials for use in ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinical applications.
Wound packaging materials are commonly used during ENT surgeries to control bleeding and support tissue repair in cases of CSOM, a persistent ear infection that can lead to hearing loss if left untreated.
Access to such surgical treatments is often limited in remote and regional areas of Western Australia.
Recognising this challenge, Dr Dorishetty aims to develop a customised, non-invasive delivery system for the silk-based packing material.
“This approach will allow for treatment in settings with minimal medical infrastructure, bringing advanced care to remote communities, particularly those with high Aboriginal populations, where CSOM is more prevalent,” he said.
“The funding will enable us to bring healthcare to remote locations and reduce hearing loss by targeting chronic suppurative otitis media at its early onset.”
The FHRI Fund supports research and innovation that impacts and improves the health and wellbeing of Western Australians.
After graduating from Melbourne’s RMIT University with a PhD in chemical engineering in 2021, Dr Dorishetty worked as a research scientist at RMIT before moving to the Ear Science Institute in 2023.
A multi-disciplinary researcher, he works across disciplines including materials science, chemical engineering, and biochemistry.
His research interests lie at the intersection of these disciplines, where he develops innovative biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. His research at the institute primarily focuses on developing biomaterials tailored for medical applications
The FHRI Fund supports research and innovation that impacts and improves the health and wellbeing of Western Australians.
