Project description
Using goat models to unlock cartilage repair
Damage to articular cartilage poses a challenge due to its inability to regenerate its zonal structure. When cartilage is injured, the repair tissue lacks the necessary zonal complexity, leading to deterioration and persistent pain. This often results in the need for joint replacement, impacting millions globally. Understanding how the zonal structure forms and regenerates in articular cartilage is critical for advancing treatments. With this in mind, the ERC-funded ReZone project will use a goat model to study how articular cartilage develops its complex zonal structure. Goats are chosen because their joint and cartilage structures are similar to those of humans. By comparing gene activity in different loading states, the project will identify key pathways involved in zonal emergence.
Objective
Articular cartilage (AC) has a complex zonal structure and composition, providing it with its essential functional properties. However, when cartilage is damaged, the zonal complexity does not regenerate, leaving an inferior tissue which is prone to degeneration. As a result, cartilage injury commonly leads to pain and the eventual need for joint replacement. Progress towards true regeneration of AC requires an advance in understanding of how zonal complexity (and corresponding function) emerge over development. The most promising clue to understanding zonal emergence is that mechanical forces are known to be important for normal AC development.
ReZone will reveal the mechanisms underlying zonal emergence through a novel goat model in which a common veterinary procedure is repurposed to create a radically altered mechanical environment in the developing joint. By comparing gene activity between normal and altered states of zonal emergence, I will identify pathways likely to be involved in zonal emergence. I will leverage my expertise in cartilage explant culture and mechanostimulation bioreactors to develop a novel in vitro explant model, and use this model to validate candidate pathways. Finally, I will demonstrate the therapeutic potential of molecular regulators of zonal emergence using gene-activated biomaterials to regenerate zonal emergence in an in vivo, large-animal model of cartilage repair.
ReZone will provide a step-change in our understanding of how zonal AC develops postnatally, including the role of mechanical loading. The project’s ambitious aim is to bring about enhanced regeneration of AC through activation of the developmental processes which form functional cartilage in early life. Revealing key mechanisms underlying zonal emergence in immature AC will enable true regeneration of injured AC, improving quality of life for patients with articular cartilage defects worldwide.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental biotechnology bioremediation bioreactors
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
4 DUBLIN
Ireland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.