Gene-activated tri-layer 3D-bioprinted scaffold for enhanced osteochondral defect repair

Descripción del proyecto

Implantes activados genéticamente para articulaciones dañadas

El daño en el cartílago y el hueso subyacente puede provocar dolor crónico, inestabilidad articular y, con el tiempo, artrosis. Sin embargo, los tratamientos actuales rara vez restauran el tejido por completo. Con el apoyo de las Acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, el equipo del proyecto GATSO-3D desarrollará un implante impreso en 3D que imita fielmente la estructura de una articulación sana. El implante constará de tres capas que liberarán diferentes genes terapéuticos diseñados para favorecer la regeneración del cartílago y del hueso y reducir la inflamación. Mediante la combinación de biomateriales avanzados, nanotecnología y terapia génica, el implante tiene como objetivo estimular una reparación tisular más eficaz y duradera. Con este método innovador se podría mejorar la recuperación tras lesiones articulares, reducir el riesgo de osteoartritis y mejorar la calidad de vida de millones de pacientes.

Objetivo

Osteochondral defects (OCDs) arise from trauma, inflammation, or degenerative disease, causing pain, joint instability, and, in severe cases, osteoarthritis (OA). Current treatments are limited by the tissue’s hierarchical structure, poor cartilage repair capacity, and inflammation-driven degeneration, underscoring the need for advanced therapeutic approaches. The primary goal of this project is to construct a tri-layer 3D-bioprinted scaffold with structural, mechanical, and functional gradients that mimic native cartilage, calcified cartilage, and subchondral bone. The scaffold will enable spatial delivery of nanoparticles carrying osteogenic, chondrogenic, and anti-inflammatory plasmid DNA encodings (e.g. SOX9, BMP-2) from distinct layers, allowing evaluation of spatially programmed gene delivery in enhancing OCD repair. Prof. Fergal O’Brien’s group at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has expertise in natural polymer-based scaffolds for nucleic acid delivery. I will combine my experience in advanced polymer synthesis and 3D-printed scaffold fabrication with their nanomedicine technology to develop gene-activated nanoparticle-integrated tri-layered 3D-printed scaffold, creating a localized gene delivery platform to enhance therapeutic efficacy and ultimately alleviate patient suffering. I will be supervised by Prof. O’Brien, and he will guide my Career Development Plan. I will develop complementary skills in project management, leadership, entrepreneurship, commercialization, dissemination, and profile enhancement. Acquiring advanced research competencies and complementary skills, I will mature as an independent scientist, enhancing my professional visibility, capacity, and competitiveness in the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering. This Fellowship will significantly contribute to the achievement of my long-term career goal, which is to become an independent scientist leading my own research group focused on novel scaffolds for tissue engineering.