Project description DEENESFRITPL Advanced design of engineered constructs for optimal soft tissue repair The articular cartilage (AC) is a connective tissue that is essential for the smooth movement of joints. Damage to it leads to joint osteoarthritis (OA), causing restriction of joint movement. Tissue engineering approaches present a promising treatment option through the replacement of the damaged tissues with tissue-engineered (TE) constructs. The current hypothesis is that mechanical signals can improve the functional integration of TE constructs into host cartilage and that such mechanical signals can be tuned using an optimal distribution of material stiffness and cell density. The aim of the EU-funded MADE-TEC project is to develop a computational model that simulates the biomechanical and growth behaviours of the TE constructs and the host cartilage to determine the optimal design for functional integration into the cartilage. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Articular cartilage (AC) is a connective tissue that is essential for smooth movement of our joints. Damage to AC leads to a debilitating joint disease called osteoarthritis (OA), which can cause severe restriction of joint movement and overall mobility. Currently, there are more than 40 million Europeans who are affected by OA. Tissue engineering approaches present promising treatment strategy through the replacement of the damaged tissues with tissue-engineered (TE) constructs. Although the current paradigm is to produce a cell-seeded biomaterial that matches the properties of the native tissue, such biomaterial may hinder growth and discourage replacement of the supportive biomaterials by newly synthesized proteins. Current TE constructs integrate poorly with the host tissue, with problems of interfacial gaps and compositional discontinuity, thus impeding their translation to the clinic. As cartilage cells are mechano-sensitive, we hypothesize that the mechanical signals conducive to cell biosynthesis can improve functional integration of TE constructs into host cartilage, and such mechanical signals can be tuned through carefully-designed TE constructs with optimal distribution of material stiffness and cell density. The aim of this research is to develop an advanced computational model that can simulate the biomechanical and growth behaviours of TE constructs and the host cartilage, and to use this model to determine optimal TE construct design that allows for functional integration into the host cartilage. The numerically-determined optimal design will be validated by state-of-the-art bioprinting technology and bioreactor testing. This computational biomechanical growth model will be the first-of-its kind as it can accelerate the design process and improve the performance of the TE constructs. This novel model can make a long-term impact on personalized design of TE constructs and have a high potential to advance the TE technique towards clinical translation. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationbioreactorsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologytissue engineeringengineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterials Keywords Post-traumatic osteoarthritis articular cartilage biomechanics of soft tissues and cells finite element modelling biofabrication mechanobiology integration growth model Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2019 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO Net EU contribution € 190 680,96 Address YLIOPISTONRANTA 8 70211 KUOPIO Finland See on map Region Manner-Suomi Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi Pohjois-Savo 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 € 190 680,96
