Objective
The key goals of this study are to better understand the properties that prevent articular cartilage from sustaining mechanical damage, and to determine which mechanical factors encourage cultured chondrocytes to produce structural macromolecules that enable cartilage to withstand mechanical loading.
These key goals will be achieved by:
(i) determining the storage and loss moduli for cartilage from lower limb joints, using cyclic loading test conditions;
(ii) determining their relationship to structure (i.e. collagen orientation), using microscopy (light and electron) and x-ray diffraction techniques;
(iii) culturing chondrocyte cells on modified alginate gel scaffolds, under intermittent loading. The boundary conditions applied to these cultures will be varied (i.e. loading rate, peak load) in order to determine how variations in loading alter the production of structural macromolecules that enable cartilage to withstand mechanical loading.
Results from (i) and (ii) above enable predictions of trends as to how alterations in loading alter properties, and the relationship of these properties to the tissue structure. These loading conditions can then be isolated using cell cultures (iii) enabling predicted trends to be confirmed/refuted.
Essentially, this study aims to determine which physical loading parameters aid the maintenance healthy cartilage. This is important because alterations to loading are thought to be involved in cartilage degeneration as occurs during osteoarthritis.
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.
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.
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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
B15 2TT Birmingham
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.