Project description
Injectable biomaterial for degenerated intervertebral disc treatment
Lower back pain is a prevalent issue worldwide. Current surgical procedures fail to address the root cause and exhibit high long-term failure rates. A novel injectable hydrogel known as iDISC, composed of collagen and chondroitin sulphate, has been developed. Possessing self-healing and adhesive properties, it is also customisable and biocompatible. In this context, the ERC-funded iDISC project will create a biomimetic adhesive biomaterial for treating degenerated intervertebral discs. By developing these injectable biomimetic hydrogel systems, earlier interventions to halt the degenerative process, restore natural biomechanical function, enhance patient accessibility, improve quality of life, reduce healthcare expenses and minimise lost productivity in the EU can be facilitated. The project will undertake in vitro testing, preclinical evaluations and commercialisation assessments.
Objective
Lower back pain is a global epidemiological and socioeconomic problem. This project envisions a future whereby patients with degenerated intervertebral discs are injected with a self-healing biomimetic adhesive biomaterial which can restore both the biochemical and biomechanical properties to native tissue levels. Current surgical procedures do not replace herniated tissue from the central nucleus pulposus or repair the annulus fibrosus (outer ring of tissue), which can lead to accelerated degeneration, reherniation and recurrent pain. Spinal fusion, whereby the compromised or degenerated tissue is removed, and the vertebral segments are fused together, does not restore biomechanical function leading to degeneration of adjacent discs with long-term failure rates as high as 40%. My lab has developed a biomimetic injectable hydrogel (iDISC) consisting of the main components (collagen and chondroitin sulfate) of native disc tissue that can be tailored to match the biochemical and biomechanical properties of native disc tissue. In addition, the iDISC hydrogel demonstrates self-healing and adhesive properties to facilitate tissue integration and exhibits excellent cell biocompatibility. The objective of this proposal is to perform in depth in vitro characterisation (WP1), multiaxial biomechanical testing (WP2), pre-clinical evaluation (WP3) and marketing and commercialisation evaluation (WP4). The development of these injectable biomimetic hydrogel systems may facilitate earlier interventions aimed at halting the degenerative process, restore natural biomechanical function, enhancing patient accessibility, improving quality of life, reduce healthcare expenses and lost productivity in the European Union. The platform technology and knowledge generated through this research are beyond the current state-of-the-art and will provide a significant transformative scientific and clinical step change opening new horizons in minimally invasive spine treatment strategies.
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.
- social sciences economics and business economics production economics productivity
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
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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.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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-POC
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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.
D02 CX56 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.