Descripción del proyecto
Implantes articulares complejos para prevenir la artrosis
Las investigaciones muestran que los defectos osteocondrales profundos de la superficie articular podrían ser los responsables de la artrosis, la cual afecta principalmente a la población de edad avanzada. La enfermedad afecta tanto al cartílago articular como al hueso subyacente y tiene graves repercusiones sobre la población adulta de la Unión Europea. Los implantes de tecnología tisular existentes podrían ofrecer soluciones para la regeneración o la prevención de la enfermedad. Sin embargo, su fabricación es en gran medida manual, lo que impide satisfacer la creciente demanda clínica. El proyecto financiado con fondos europeos JOINTPROMISE desarrollará implantes articulares complejos que sean capaces de contener la información biológica necesaria para llevar a cabo el proceso de regeneración. Para ello, el proyecto aplicará tecnologías de organoides integradas con tecnologías de bioimpresión. También adoptará las tecnologías de la robótica, la bioimpresión y los biorreactores para lograr una fabricación automatizada.
Objetivo
There is convincing evidence, in animal models and in humans, that deep osteochondral defects of the joint surface lead to a high rate of osteoarthritis (OA) over time. The disease process in OA, the most prevalent arthritic disease affecting 25% of the adult population, involves the entire joint affecting both the articular cartilage and the underlying bone. Hence it is crucial to consider the entire osteochondral unit as a target for repair. Tissue engineered implants could provide a solution for the regeneration of this type of defects and prevent the development of OA. This project aims to address this unmet clinical need by developing complex joint implants that will possess the spatially inbuilt biologic information for regenerating these challenging defects. Breakthroughs in organoid technologies have allowed the development of cartilaginous microtissue structures that can predictively execute regenerative programmes upon implantation. These microtissues can be used as building blocks for bottom-up 3D bioprinting of living joint implants. In order to be able to produce scaled-up implants containing at the same time a highly precise structure, integration of bioprinting technologies is needed. Moreover in order to cover rising clinical demand the whole manufacturing process, which is mostly manual today, will need to be automated adopting robotics, bioprinting and bioreactor technologies. In order to demonstrate implant feasibility and efficacy, large osteochondral defect repair will be studied in the minipig, a large animal model relevant to the patient. Taken together we strive to develop an automated, GMP-grade platform producing large, patterned and vascularised joint implants providing also a paradigm shift for generic automated manufacturing of organoid-based tissue implants. JOINTPROMISE paves the way for high-volume, affordable production of entire biological joints, addressing a major socioeconomic challenge of the European ageing society.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineering
- engineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationbioreactors
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringrobotics
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Convocatoria de propuestas
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoriaConvocatoria de subcontratación
H2020-SC1-2019-Single-Stage-RTD
Régimen de financiación
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinador
3000 Leuven
Bélgica