Project · 01
Human Cochlear Tissue Models
Anatomically realistic 3D-printed scala tympani models for testing and evaluating cochlear implant electrodes.
UNSW Sydney · School of Biomedical Engineering
The TEN Lab
Learn moreTissue Engineering & Neuroprosthetics: engineering human tissue models to advance the evaluation of biomedical technologies.
About the Lab
We engineer biologically relevant human tissue models and biomaterial platforms that accelerate the development, testing, and translation of medical devices and regenerative therapies.
A major focus of the group is the development of models for the human cochlea and neural tissues, enabling improved evaluation of neural prosthetic technologies such as cochlear implants and deep brain stimulation devices. Our work spans tissue engineering, biomaterials science, regenerative medicine, microfluidics, and biofabrication.
"Through interdisciplinary collaborations with clinicians, engineers, and industry partners, we aim to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical translation."
Research Areas
Several projects, one through-line.
From cochlear electrodes to bovine wound care, every project in the lab returns to a single question: how do we build tissue that behaves like the real thing, so that the devices we test on it perform like they will in patients?
Project · 02
Engineering Fibrosis
Hydrogel-based human fibrosis models that recreate the host response to implants for preclinical device testing.
Project · 03
Temporal Bone Models
Patient-specific temporal bone phantoms for surgical training and informing electrode design, with UNSW Tyree IHealthE and Sydney Adventist Hospital.
Project · 04
Nerve Tissue Engineering
Human in vitro neural models built from hydrogels and stem-cell-derived neurons to improve bionic device evaluation.
Project · 05
Tubular Tissue Scaffolds
Lab-grown tubular tissues engineered for reproducible cell culture applications.
Project · 06
Cardiovascular Structures
Artery-like constructs developed with the SVMG group for evaluating current and emerging stent technologies.
Project · 07
Hydrogel Microfluidics for Neuropathic Pain
Two-chamber hydrogel microfluidic devices that compartmentalise neurons and glia to study mechanisms of neuropathic pain. With A/Prof. Gila Moalem-Taylor
Project · 08
Wound Healing for Dehorned Cattle
Hydrogel-based adhesives for rapid, practical wound healing, with the University of Sydney (Dr. Dominique Van der Saag), UTS (Prof. Penny Martens), and Meat & Livestock Australia.
Project · 09
Advanced Bioinks for 3D bioprinting
Generating 3D-printing solutions that are stable, robust, and cytocompatible.
The Team
People behind the work.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Ulises Aregueta Robles
Dr. Aregueta Robles leads the TEN Lab's research at the intersection of tissue engineering, hydrogel biomaterials, and neural prosthetics. His work bridges fundamental biomaterials science with the translational requirements of implantable medical devices, with a particular focus on the cochlear implant and emerging neural stimulators.
Researchers & Students
JS
Javiera Sanhueza Ortega
PhD Student
Working on: Tubular vascular scaffolds.
QS
Qi Shu
Masters Student
Working on: Hydrogel microfluidics.
YC
Yu-Ting Chen
Masters Student
Working on: Cryogenic cardiovascular scaffolds.
YG
Yuan Gao
Masters Student
Working on: Novel wound treatments for cattle dehorning.
KN
Kathy Nguyen
Undergraduate Researcher
Working on: Nerve tissue engineering with Schwann cells.
BD
Bronson Do
Undergraduate Researcher
Working on: Tissue engineering human fibrosis.
TB
Tarun Bhatt
Undergraduate Researcher
Working on: Tissue engineering human tendons.
AB
Adarsh Bhagyanathan
Undergraduate Researcher
Working on: Novel wound treatments for cattle dehorning.
KG
Khushi Gupta
Undergraduate Researcher
Working on: Cochlear in vitro models to assess implant performance.
AO
Aidan Oliveira
Undergraduate Researcher
Working on: Tissue engineering human cochlear structures.
Collaborators
- Prof. Laura Poole-Warren — UNSW Tyree IHealthE
- Prof. Payal Mukherjee — Sydney Adventist Hospital
- Prof. Mirella Dottori — University of Wollongong
- A/Prof. Bryony Nayagam — University of Melbourne
- A/Prof. Susann Beier — UNSW Sydney
- Dr. Dorna Esrafilzadeh — UNSW Sydney
- Prof. Jorge Isaac Chairez Oria — Tec de Monterrey
- Prof. Penny Martens — University of Technology Sydney
- Dr. Dominique Van der Saag — University of Sydney
- A/Prof. Gila Moalem-Taylor — UNSW Sydney
- Prof. Rachael Richardson — Bionics Institute
Publications
Latest publications.
- 2026Mechanistic drivers of platinum dissolution in neural prosthetic electrode pulsing: decoupling electrochemistry, biological interfaces, and electrode degradation productsShah D., et al.Journal of Neural Engineering
- 2026Physicochemical Reinforcement Unlocks Sterilization‐Stable Anisotropic Hydrogels for Cell‐Compatible Mock ArteriesSanhueza-Ortega J., et al.Advanced Healthcare Materials
- 20263D printed scala tympani tissue models accommodating human cochlear electrodesWan S., et al.Biofabrication
- 2025Spatially precise activation of the mouse cochlea with a multi-channel hybrid cochlear implantAzees A.A., et al.Journal of Neural Engineering
- 2024Deciphering platinum dissolution in neural stimulation electrodes: Electrochemistry or biology?Shah D., et al.Biomaterials
- 2024Bioelectronic neural interfaces: improving neuromodulation through organic conductive coatingsDuan W., et al.Advanced Science
- 2023Growing human-scale scala tympani-like in vitro cell constructsAregueta Robles U.A., et al.Biofabrication
News & Updates
Fresh out of the lab oven.
Apr 2026
Cytocompatible PVA cardiovascular scaffolds with artery-like mechanical behaviour
Javiera Sanhueza Ortega's work on directional freezing and salting-out gels shows that hybrid polymerisation strategies yield strong, anisotropic PVA-MA hydrogels like coronary arteries.
Feb 2026
The TEN Lab welcomes one Master's and two new undergraduate researchers
Yu-Ting (Claire), Bronson, and Tarun join the team to contribute across cardiovascular, fibrosis, and tendon tissue engineering.
Nov 2025
MLA-project: biomaterial wound dressing for dehorned cattle
A new adhesive hydrogel platform aims to deliver fast, practical wound healing at scale for livestock veterinary medicine.
Contact
Get in touch.
Address
School of Biomedical Engineering
UNSW Sydney
Samuels Building, Kensington NSW 2052
Australia
Enquiries
u.areguetarobles@unsw.edu.auAffiliation
UNSW Sydney
School of Biomedical Engineering · Faculty of Engineering
Join the Lab
We welcome enquiries from prospective PhD and Masters students interested in tissue engineering, hydrogel biomaterials, and neural prosthetics. Please send a CV and a short statement of research interests.
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Donate.
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