Objective
Fifteen million tendon and ligament injuries occur annually worldwide, with the Achilles tendon among the most frequently injured. Tendons are mechanosensitive tissues, and controlled mechanical loading can promote healing, whereas inappropriate loading may cause re-rupture or impaired regeneration. However, optimal loading magnitude and timing remain unclear, leading to impaired healing, prolonged sick-leave and reduced physical activity after injury. This project presents a tool to improve and personalize rehabilitation during tendon healing following injury.
In a recent ERC-funded project, we developed and validated an advanced computational framework capable of predicting tendon healing under varying mechanical loads. The model integrates finite element simulations with experimentally characterized biological data to describe how cells sense mechanical signals and produce new tissue. It is the first framework to successfully predict where and when tendon tissue forms during healing. Development and validation were performed in a rat model, enabling precise control of mechanical loading and tissue formation.
We now aim to translate this framework to humans and evaluate the clinical potential. We will evaluate the model’s predictive capacity for human tendon healing by comparing simulations with patient-specific existing clinical data from Achilles tendon rupture studies. Clinical images and longitudinal data on tendon mechanical properties from patients subjected to different treatment and rehabilitation protocols, together with functional outcome measures will be used, and the approach will be automated for easy clinical assessment.
Ultimately, the computational framework will be used to personalize and optimize rehabilitation strategies and promote faster and more robust tendon healing. Even a short reduction in sick-leave or faster return to physical activity can result in large economic benefits for the patient and health care system.
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.
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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-2026-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.
22100 Lund
Sweden
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.