Projektbeschreibung
Verlangsamung des Krankheitsverlaufs bei Arthrose
Arthrose ist eine Gelenkerkrankung, die mit der Degeneration des Gelenkknorpels und des darunter liegenden Knochens einhergeht. Sie ist die häufigste Ursache für Schmerzen und Behinderungen bei Menschen im mittleren und hohen Alter. Ziel des EU-finanzierten Projekts ADMAIORA ist es, den Degenerationsprozess zu verlangsamen oder ganz zu verhindern, damit Menschen mit Arthrose ein gesünderes, aktiveres Leben führen können. Das Konsortium entwickelt biosynthetische Hydrogele mit piezoelektrischen Nanopartikeln, die auf ferngesteuerte, drahtlose Ultraschallstimulation ansprechen. Die Hydrogele werden Stammzellen mit entzündungshemmenden und regenerativen Eigenschaften enthalten und sollen mithilfe eines innovativen tragbaren 3D-Biodruckers in situ freigesetzt werden. Durch speziell angefertigte Ultraschallsonden wird es möglich sein, den Gelenkzustand zu überwachen und das implantierte piezoelektrische Biomaterial zu stimulieren, sodass die Knorpelregeneration verbessert wird.
Ziel
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major burden that affects ~ 40 million of EU citizens, with enormous direct and indirect costs for the European healthcare systems, quantified in ~ 50.4 billion euros per year. This disease involves the degeneration of cartilage and other joint structures and is one of the most common causes of pain and disability in middle-aged and elderly people. ADMAIORA aims in the long-term at increasing the healthy and active lifespan of people affected by OA, by considerably slowing down or even stopping the degeneration process, thus delaying or avoiding surgical interventions for total joint replacement. Within the project time-frame the target is to achieve a 60% reduction of degeneration in OA animal models treated with the ADMAIORA technologies, with respect to control (untreated) ones, after 4 weeks, and a 90% reduction after 3 months. To achieve this ambitious objective the Consortium will evolve and merge technologies that already showed a high potential as experimental proof of concepts (TRL = 3) and will bring them at a preclinical level (TRL = 5). The ADMAIORA Consortium will develop biosynthetic hydrogels embedded with carbon-based nanomaterials, conferring higher mechanical and lubrication properties, and piezoelectric nanoparticles enabling responsivity to remote wireless ultrasound waves. Stem cells derived from autologous adipose tissue, which already demonstrated anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, will be entrapped in the hydrogels. Materials and cells will be delivered in situ through an innovative handheld 3D bioprinter, embedded in an arthroscopic tool. A custom brace will be designed and equipped with ultrasound probes for both monitoring the joint status and stimulating the implanted piezoelectric nanobiomaterial. A dedicated App will allow a direct connection between patient and physician in an Internet of Things framework. Overall, ADMAIORA will target a ground-breaking paradigm that may revolutionize OA treatment.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cells
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgerysurgical procedures
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpiezoelectrics
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringnanocomposites
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsultrasound
Schlüsselbegriffe
Programm/Programme
Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung
Andere Projekte für diesen Aufruf anzeigenUnterauftrag
H2020-NMBP-TR-IND-2018
Finanzierungsplan
RIA - Research and Innovation actionKoordinator
56127 Pisa
Italien