Project description
Smart implants for bone regeneration
Large bone defects have a limited regenerative capacity and are currently treated with invasive surgeries or external fixation devices. However, these conventional methods often involve long recovery times and carry substantial risks. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Morphogenesis project aims to develop novel implantable systems capable of facilitating bone and tissue regeneration using minimally invasive procedures. These implants are designed to be inserted in a compact configuration, expanding to conform to the morphology of the damaged region. Their design integrates flexible metal structures with smart hydrogels, sensors, and biological components such as cells to support healing. The Morphogenesis approach has the potential to transform treatment of severe bone injuries, improving patient outcomes and recovery time.
Objective
The treatment of critical-size defects—too large to heal naturally—is typically approached with invasive surgical procedures or external fixation devices, with the associated long rehabilitation times, emotional exhaustion, and high failure rates. This project aims at creating self-assembling implants capable of inducing tissue and bone regeneration in critical-size defects using minimally invasive procedures. The implants will feature a frame of superelastic and shape-morphing NiTi wovens, with the ability to fold for facilitating insertion and unfold after placement. The geometry of the NiTi structure will be custom-designed to meet the dimensions of the defects and define the healing volume. After inserting and unfolding the frame, the core of the implant will be filled with stimuli-responsive and anti-bacterial hydrogels, and self-assembling piezoresistive and electromagnetically functional structures for stimulation, sensing and monitoring. The implant will be completed with the incorporation of cells, spheroids and organoids to act as versatile cell sources and enable tissue regeneration. The project builds upon expertise from the host institution in additive manufacturing (AM) of NiTi employing laser powder bed fusion and from the candidate in the 3D and 4D printing of stimuli-responsive electroactive composites. It will contribute to the research line on materials for healthcare from the host institution and to its research program on advanced materials processing. The host institution will benefit from an expanded portfolio of materials and technologies, especially as regards the printing of piezoresistive and electromagnetically functional structures, while the candidate will expand his background on biomedical applications of AM and initiate a personal research line on smart materials for health in an international environment. A set of conceptual case studies in connection with critical-size defects in osteosarcoma will be developed as demonstrators.
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 materials engineering composites
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine physiotherapy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine surgery surgical procedures
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering manufacturing engineering additive manufacturing
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology implants
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
28906 Getafe
Spain
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.