Degrees:

• Ph.D., Neuroscience. University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
• BSc. (Hons), Biochemistry. University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia

Research Description:

The convergence of neuroscience and nanotechnology holds promise for the successful development of electronic devices capable of interfacing with the central nervous system (CNS). In recent years, considerable progress has been made in the fabrication of electronic devices at the micro- and nano-scales. In particular, micro-fabricated neural prosthetic devices have been used to stimulate and record specific areas of the CNS. Neural prosthetic devices have the potential to restore function to people suffering from a diverse range of neurological disabilities. However, the functions of these devices have been limited due to an inability to effectively and chronically interface with host nervous tissue. Dr. Hynd's research focuses on the development of the next generation of implantable neural prosthetic devices. It is envisaged that the next generation of implantable devices will comprise both electrical and biological components - "hybrid devices" - to enhance biocompatibility and long-term performance in vivo. Ex vivo integration of neurons with these devices is expected to promote their functional incorporation into the mammalian CNS. Discoveries arising from this research will have a substantive impact on the future abilities of health-care professionals to prevent or ameliorate the effects of neurological disorders through supplement or replacement of nervous tissue using neural prosthetic devices.

Dr Hynd's other research interests include the design and development of nerve cell-based "neurochips", carbon nanotube-based neural prosthetic devices and the development of organic-based synthetic technologies.

Honors & Awards:

• 2008 - Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering (2008-2009 Edition)
• 2005 - Seoul National University Visiting Scientist Travel Fellowship
• 2004 - International Society of Neurochemistry Travel Fellowship
• 2003 - Faculty of Biochemistry Travel Fellowship, University of Queensland
• 2002 - Finalist Australian National Science Week "Young Scientist of the Year" Competition
• 2002 - 8^th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease Travel Fellowship
• 2002 - Asia-Pacific Society for Neurochemistry Travel Fellowship
• 2002 - Graduate School Travel Award, University of Queensland
• 2002 - School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences student prize, University of Queensland
• 2002 - Australian Neuroscience Society student poster prize
• 2002 to 2004 - Post-graduate Research Scholarship, University of Queensland
• 2001 - Australian Society for Neurochemistry Guli and Anderson Bursary
• 1998 to 1999 - Tertiary Education Assistance Scholarship, Vietnam Veterans Association

Selected publications:

Jhaveri, SJ., Hynd, MR.,  Turner., JN, Shain, W., Ober, CK. Release of nerve growth factor from HEMA-coated substrates and its effect on the differentiation of neural cells. Biomacromolecules. 2009. 10(1):174-83. PMID: 19061335

Frampton, JP., Schuler, M., Shain, W, Hynd, MR. Biomedical technologies for in vitro screening and controlled delivery of neuroactive compounds. Central Nervous System Agents - Medicinal Chemistry. Invited Review. 2008. 8(3): 203-219. PMID: 19079777

Jun, SB., Hynd, MR., Al-Kofahi, Y., Roysam, B., Shain, W., Kim, SJ. Modulation of cultured neural networks using neurotrophin release from hydrogel-coated microelectrode arrays. Journal of Neural Engineering. 2008. 5(2):203-213. PMID: 18477815

Seggio, AM., Ellison, KS., Hynd, MR., Shain, W., Thompson, DM. Cryopreservation of transfected primary dorsal root ganglia neurons. J Neurosci Methods. 2008. 173(1):67-73.PMID: 18639343

Frampton, JP., Hynd, MR., Williams, JC., Schuler, M., Shain, W. Three-dimensional hydrogel cultures for modeling changes in tissue impedance around microfabricated neural probes. Journal of Neural Engineering. 2007. 4(4):399-409. PMID: 18057507

Hynd, MR., Turner, JN., Shain, W. Applications of hydrogels for neural cell engineering. Journal of Biomaterial Science: Polymer Edition. 2007. 18(10):1223-44. PMID: 17939883

Jun, SB., Hynd, MR., Smith, KL, Song, JK., Turner, JN., Shain, W., Kim, SJ. Electrical stimulation-induced cell clustering in cultured neural networks. Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing. 2007. 45(11):1015-21. PMID: 17684784

Hynd, MR., Frampton, JP., Dowell-Mesfin, NM., Turner, JN., Shain, W. Directed cell growth on protein-functionalized hydrogel surfaces. Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 2007. 162(1-2):255-63. PMID: 17368788

Jun, SB., Hynd, MR., Dowell-Mesfin, NM., Smith, KL, Turner, JN., Shain, W., Kim, SJ. Low-density neuronal networks cultured using patterned poly-l-lysine on microelectrode arrays. Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 2007. 160(2):317-26. PMID: 17282041

Hynd, MR., Frampton, JP., Burnham, M-R., Martin, DL., Dowell-Mesfin, NM., Turner, JN., Shain, W. Functionalized hydrogel surfaces for the patterning of multiple biomolecules. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part A. 2007. 81(2):347-54. PMID: 17120223

Jhaveri, SJ., Senaratne, W., Hynd, MR., Turner, JN., Sengupta, P., Shain, W., Ober, CK. Defining the biology-materials interface using both 2D and 3D lithography. Journal of Photopolymer Science and Technology. 2006. 19(4): 435-440.

Jhaveri, SJ., Coenjarts, CA., Tan, L-S., Hynd, MR., Kannan, R., Vaia, RA., Turner., JN, Shain, W., Ober, CK. Two-photon three-dimensional patterning of gels and elastomers. Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering. 2006. 94(1):44-45.

Jun, SB., Hynd, MR., Dowell-Mesfin N., Smith K., Turner J., Shain W., Kim SJ. Synaptic connectivity of a low density patterned neuronal network produced on the poly-L-lysine stamped microelectrode array. Proceedings of the IEEE Engineering in Medical and Biology Society. 2005. 7(1):7604-7607. PMID: 17049614

Hynd, MR., Scott, HL., Dodd, PR. Differential expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR2 isoforms in Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Neurochemistry. 2004. 90(4):913-9. PMID: 15287897

Hynd, MR., Scott, HL., Dodd, PR. Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Neurochemistry International. 2004. 45(5):583-95. PMID: 15234100

Hynd, MR., Scott HL., Dodd PR. Selective loss of NMDA receptor NR1 subunit isoforms in Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Neurochemistry. 2004. 89(1):240-7. PMID: 15030408

Hynd, MR., Scott HL., Dodd PR. Quantitation of alternatively spliced NMDA receptor NR1 isoform mRNA transcripts in human brain by competitive RT-PCR. Brain Research Brain Research Protocols. 2003. 11(1):52-66. PMID: 12697263

Hynd, MR., Lewohl JM., Scott HL., Dodd PR. Biochemical and molecular studies using human autopsy brain tissue. Journal of Neurochemistry. 2003. 85(3):543-62. PMID: 12694381

Hynd, MR., Scott HL., Dodd PR. Quantitation of NMDA receptor NR2 mRNA transcripts in human brain by competitive RT-PCR. Brain Research Brain Research Protocols. 2003. 11(1):67-79. PMID: 12697264

Hynd, MR., Scott HL., Dodd PR. Glutamate(NMDA) receptor NR1 subunit mRNA expression in Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Neurochemistry. 2001. 78(1):175-82. PMID: 11432984

Book chapters and articles:

Hynd, MR. BioGels for Neural Tissue Engineering in Handbook of Hydrogels: Properties, Preparation & Applications. Editors: David B. Stein. (2009). ISBN: 978-1-60741-702-6.

Hynd, MR. Excited to death. Australasian Science. 2003. 4(3): 22-23.

Conference proceedings:

Smith, KL., Goodspeed, D., Shain, W., Hynd, MR. Neural Interface Conference. siRNA-mediated knockdown of gene expression following insertion of neural prosthetic devices in the adult rat brain. (2008).

Lee, WH., Smith, KL., Goodspeed, D., Bergkvist, M., Cady, NC., Kim, SJ., Shain, W., Hynd, MR. Neural Interface Conference. Development of hybrid neural prosthetic devices. (2008)

Jun, SB., Smith, KL., Dowell-Mesfin, NM., Shain, W., Kim, SJ., Hynd, MR. Neural Interface Conference. Optical monitoring of neural network connectivity using FM1-43-evoked activity from focal stimulation of microelectrode arrays. (2008).

Frampton, JP., Hynd, MR., Schuler, M., Shain, W. Neural Interface Conference. A three-dimensional cell culture system for modelling the blood-brain barrier. (2008).

Hynd, MR., Frampton, JP., Dowell-Mesfin, NM., Turner, JN., Shain, W. American Society for Cell Biology. The use of surface protein micropatterning for directing neural cell growth on a novel biomimetic surface. Program Number 305. (2006).

Frampton, JP., Hynd, MR., Gupta, A., Bjornsson, CB., Lin, G., Roysam, B., Turner, JN., Shain, W. 3-D in vitro model systems for studying tissue impedance. American Society for Cell Biology. Program Number 302. (2006).

Hynd, MR., Frampton, JP., Dowell-Mesfin, NM., Turner, JN., Shain, W. Acrylamide-based hydrogels for neural cell engineering. The 8th New Jersey Symposium on Biomaterials Science. Program Number 101. (2006).

Frampton, JP., Hynd, MR., Smith, KL., Turner, JN., Shain, W. In vitro model systems for studying tissue impedance in 3-D. The 8th New Jersey Symposium on Biomaterials Science. Program Number 100 (2006).

Frampton, JP., Hynd, MR., Mikhail, M., Gupta, A., Turner, JN., Shain, W. Three-dimensional tissue cultures as models for correlating tissue impedance spectroscopy with changes in tissue organization around inserted neural prosthetic devices. Society for Neuroscience. Program Number 354.2. (2006).

Hynd, MR., Frampton, JP., Dowell-Mesfin, NM., Turner, JN., Shain, W. Protein Functionalized Biomimetic Hydrogel Surfaces for Directing Neural Cell Growth and Attachment. Program Number 38-B. National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Neural Interfaces Workshop. (2006).

Frampton, JP., Hynd, MR., Smith, KL., Turner, JN., Shain, W. 3-D in vitro model systems for studying tissue impedance. National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Neural Interfaces Workshop. Program Number 37-B. (2006).

Jhaveri, SJ., Lange, B., Hynd, MR., Turner, JN., Zentel, R., Shain, W., Ober, CK. Two-photon lithography: Applications from drug-delivery to photonic crystals. Cornell polymer Outreach Program. (2006).

Jhaveri, SJ., Hynd, MR., Bjornsson, CS., Turner, JN., Shain, W., Ober, CK. Hydrogels to promote neuronal process growth towards neural prosthetic device. National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Neural Interfaces Workshop. Program Number 39-A. (2006).

Hynd, MR., Frampton, JP., Dowell-Mesfin, NM., Turner, JN., Shain, W. Directed cell growth on protein functionalised hydrogel surfaces. American Society for Cell Biology. Program Number 1112. (2005).

Jun, SB., Hynd, MR., Dowell-Mesfin, NM., Smith, KL, Turner, JN., Shain, W., Kim, SJ. Synaptic connectivity of low density cultures of patterned neuronal networks on microelectrode arrays. Society for Neuroscience. Program Number 834.13. (2005).

Frampton, JP., Hynd, MR., Turner, JN., Shain, W. Title. National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Neural Interfaces Workshop. (2005).

Jhaveri, SJ., Hynd, MR., Frampton, JP., Retterer, S., Trier, S., Williams, J., Turner, JN., Shain, W., Ober, CK. Hydrogels for promoting improved neuroprosthesis performance - protein delivery and cell encapsulation. National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Neural Interfaces Workshop. (2005).

Jhaveri, SJ., Hynd, MR., Retterer, S., Trier, S., Williams, J., Turner, JN., Shain, W., Ober, CK. Hydrogels for delivery of neurotrophins around prosthetic devices. Society for Neuroscience. Program Number. 519.11. (2005).

Frampton, J., Hynd, MR., Smith, KL., Turner, JN., Shain, W. A novel hydrogel co-culture system using glial cell encapsulation and neuron surface patterning. Society for Neuroscience. Program Number 386.14.  (2005).

Jhaveri, SJ., Hynd, MR., Retterer, S., Trier, S., Williams, J., Turner, JN., Shain, W., Ober, CK. Two-photon microfabricated hydogels for efficient neural connection with prosthetic devices. Cornell Polymer Outreach Program. Program Number A-31. (2005).

Hynd, MR., Dowell-Mesfin, NM., Turner, JN., Shain, W. Development of functional neural prostheses using biomolecular patterning and topographical surface modification of nanofabricated devices. American Society for Cell Biology. Program Number 1235/B564. (2004).

Hynd, MR., Burnham, M-R., Martin, DL., Shain, W., Turner, JN. Spatial control of cell growth using micropatterning of multiple proteins. Society for Neuroscience. Program Number 1031.11 (2004).

Tannenberg, RK., Hynd, MR., Scott, HL., Dodd, PR. The quantitation of pre- and post-synaptic proteins in Alzheimer disease and effect of apolipoprotein E genotype. Society for Neuroscience, Program Number 97.8. (2004).

Professional memberships:

• Society for Neuroscience
• Hudson-Berkshire Neuroscience Society
• Reviewer for multiple journals including Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Brain Research Brain Research Protocols and Neurochemistry International.