Project description
Novel regenerative therapy for volumetric muscle loss
Certain types of injury or surgery can lead to volumetric muscle loss (VML), which reduces an individual’s strength and causes long-term disability. VML typically surpasses the body’s inherent capacity for regeneration. Regenerative strategies using engineered biomaterials like hydrogels show promise, but successful recovery also depends on mechanical and biochemical cues that guide muscle regeneration. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the WTEB-Therapy-VML project aims to develop a novel matrix that mimics muscle structure and has the capacity to respond to mechanical forces. By integrating this matrix with wireless bioelectronics for electrical stimulation, the project will deliver a dual mechano-electrical therapy tailored for VML treatment.
Objective
Volumetric muscle loss (VML), or a frank loss of muscle tissue often results in a permanent loss of muscle tissue and chronic reduction in strength, which can lead to long-term disability. Tissue engineered biomaterial matrix (e.g. hydrogels) offers a promising strategy to restore and improve the function of VML injuries and regeneration. However, muscle regeneration cannot succeed in the absence of biophysical (e.g. mechanical force, topography, and electrical induction) and/or biochemical cues (e.g. integrins) from the extracellular matrix. The matrix design must take into account the functional characteristics of the target tissue. For example, the structural anisotropy in muscle is critical in guiding cell organization and generating powerful muscle contractions. Recently, mechanotherapy has drawn the attention of physical therapists, which is a strategy for tissue repair and remodelling through a conversional process from mechanical signals into biochemical response in cells. Moreover, muscle is responsive to electrical stimulation due to its physiological nature. Bioresorbable wireless bioelectronics as electrical stimulators have been developed for many applications, including neuromuscular regeneration, and cardiac pacemakers etc. Inspired by these, I aim to develop a novel anisotropic matrix with mechano-responsive properties, followed by integration with bioelectronics, which will provide a dual-mechano-electrical therapy for VML. To achieve this, I will carry out the project employing an interdisciplinary approach, including polymer chemistry, physics, electronic engineering, mechanobiology, and regenerative medicine. My experience in polymer chemistry, physics, and mechanobiology will be integrated with the outstanding expertise of the Northwestern University and University of Cambridge in bioelectronics and regenerative medicine. If successful, it will be a dramatic development for regenerative medicine and broaden the applications of bioelectronics.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
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.