Objective This proposal aims to harness breakthroughs in polymer science, nanotechnology and materials processing to create new classes of materials that mimic the architecture of the human body. The materials will be exploited to tackle grand challenges in stem cell science and in the development of new biomaterials that promote regeneration. The human body uses materials to impose architecture on populations of cells within developing or regenerating tissues. Architectural components of these tissues include three-dimensional spatial and temporal patterns of growth factors, spatial arrangements of multiple cell types and modulation of local elasticity. Orchestration of these architectural features is essential in the precise control of stem cell differentiation and tissue morphogenesis in vivo. This ERC Grant will create new classes of biomaterials that bridge the gap between the exquisite control of architecture in the developing human body and the crude structure imposed on cell populations in vitro during cell culture and biomaterials-assisted tissue repair. The research programme is organised into 2 major strands: TOOLS and DEMONSTRATORS. Within TOOLS, new materials and techniques will be invented that represent a step-change in our ability to impose architecture on stem cell populations in vitro. Within DEMONSTRATORS, 3 grand challenges in healthcare and stem cell science will be addressed through demonstrations that synthetic materials can be designed to match the architecture of our developing bodies. This interdisciplinary project will be undertaken by a team of interdisciplinary scientists within the Wolfson Centre for Stem Cells Tissue Engineering and Modelling (STEM). To undertake this research project help from collaborators across Europe is required. Existing and new collaborations will ensure that the most advanced materials science and stem cell biology is exploited to create world leading tools that radically change regenerative medicine. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologytissue engineeringnatural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cellsengineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterials Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-ID1 - ERC Advanced Grant Interdisciplinary Panel Call for proposal ERC-2008-AdG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM Address University park NG7 2RD Nottingham United Kingdom See on map Region East Midlands (England) Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Nottingham Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Paul Cartledge (Mr.) Principal investigator Kevin Morris Shakesheff (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM United Kingdom EU contribution € 2 290 856,80 Address University park NG7 2RD Nottingham See on map Region East Midlands (England) Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Nottingham Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Paul Cartledge (Mr.) Principal investigator Kevin Morris Shakesheff (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
