Project description DEENESFRITPL Improving tendon tissue engineering research in Portugal Tendons are the flexible, tough fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones, and when injured, they cause inflammation, pain and disability. Current repair strategies mainly involve surgery, but the clinical outcome is poor, demanding alternative approaches. Tissue engineering is emerging as a promising strategy for reconstructing injured tendons, which, however, requires better insight into tendon biophysics and biology. The aim of the EU-funded Achilles project is to strengthen the research capacity of the 3B's Research Group of University of Minho (UMinho) in Portugal in tendon tissue engineering. Moreover, through twinning it with other partner institutions, Achilles is expected to increase the international visibility and networking capacity of UMinho. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The main goal of Achilles is to significantly strengthen the science and technology capacity of UMinho in biophysics, cell/molecular biology and genetics/gene therapy in order to achieve global scientific excellence and competitiveness for the translation of advanced therapies/ tendon tissue engineering strategies to treat tendon injuries/diseases; At the same tine, Achilles also aims at positioning the research profile of UMinho and its staff in an outstanding international research level. This will be achieved by establishing a twinning process through knowledge sharing and collaboration between 3B’s Research Group of University of Minho (UMinho) and 2 internationally leading institutions: Department of Trauma Surgery of the University Regensburg Medical Centre (UHREG) and the Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory of the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG). Achilles will focus in defined areas in which UMinho shows a less scientific knowledge and are well-complemented by UHREG and NUIG. The project objectives are:- To significantly increase the scientific excellence in tendon tissue engineering and reinforce human resources profile of UMinho;- To significantly increase the international visibility of UMinho and unleash its networking gaps with international outstanding R&D organisations;- To create strong links between UMinho-UHREG-NUIG allowing a constant and sustained knowledge sharing and research collaboration network which will continue sustainably in the long-term;- To significantly increase the capacity of UMinho to translate excellent scientific production into new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of tendon disorders and in providing high-quality services and consulting, improved capability to compete for funding as well as generating useful intellectual property that can help to support in the long-term the sustainability of the organization. Fields of science medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapymedical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgerymedical and health sciencesclinical medicinephysiotherapymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologytissue engineeringnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biology Keywords Advanced therapies for tendon diseases Tendon tissue engineering Gene therapy Cell molecular biology Biophysics Twinning Scientific excellence International competitiveness Programme(s) H2020-EU.4.b. - Twinning of research institutions Main Programme Topic(s) WIDESPREAD-05-2017 - Twinning Call for proposal H2020-WIDESPREAD-2016-2017 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-WIDESPREAD-05-2017-Twinning Funding Scheme CSA - Coordination and support action Coordinator UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO Net EU contribution € 500 601,25 Address LARGO DO PACO 4704 553 Braga Portugal See on map Region Continente Norte Cávado Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 500 601,25 Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all KLINIKUM DER UNIVERSITAET REGENSBURG Participation ended Germany Net EU contribution € 37 406,10 Address FRANS JOSEF STRAUSS ALLEE 11 93053 Regensburg See on map Region Bayern Oberpfalz Regensburg, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 37 406,10 UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY Participation ended Ireland Net EU contribution € 37 970,00 Address UNIVERSITY ROAD H91 Galway See on map Region Ireland Northern and Western West Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 37 970,00 JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAT WURZBURG Germany Net EU contribution € 212 106,40 Address SANDERRING 2 97070 Wuerzburg See on map Region Bayern Unterfranken Würzburg, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 212 106,40 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN Ireland Net EU contribution € 211 542,50 Address BELFIELD 4 Dublin See on map Region Ireland Eastern and Midland Dublin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 211 542,50
