Innovative materials and technologies for a bio-engineered meniscus substitute

Objective

A great number of European are suffering from meniscus defects, which often cause persistent knee pain and may lead to osteoarthritis, knee joint instability and consequent deterioration of the quality of life of the patient. For years the standard treatment of a torn meniscus was complete resection but today orthopedic surgeons are very keen on new techniques for replacing or regenerating this tissue. Over the past years, efforts have been made to develop a suitable meniscus substitutes to replace the degenerated meniscus but no fully-suitable material/products exist to date. The main objective of the proposed research is closely emulate the structure of the natural meniscus by using state-of-the-art tissue engineering technologies and highly biointeractive materials. By using a problem solving approach, the Proposers will develop of a novel, bio-engineered, living meniscus reconstruction material composed of autologous cells grown on novel biodegradable and bioactive scaffold .

Fields of science

• medical and health sciences › medical biotechnology › tissue engineering

Programme(s)

• FP5-GROWTH - Programme for research technological development and demonstration on "Competitive and sustainable growth 1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.1.3.-5. - RTD Activities of a Generic Nature : materials and their technologies for production and transformation and new and improved materials and production technologies in the steel field

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

FIDIA ADVANCED BIOPOLYMERS SRL

Address

Via Ponte Della Fabbrica 3/b
35031 Abano Terme
Italy

Participants (6)

ISTITUTO ORTOPEDICO RIZZOLI

Italy

Address

Via Di Barbiano 1-10
40136 Bologna

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY

Italy

Address

Piazzale Aldo Moro 7
80125 Napoli

UNIVERSITAET BASEL

Switzerland

Address

Hebelstrasse 20
4031 Basel

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

United Kingdom

Address

Teviot Place
EH8 9AG Edinburgh

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

United Kingdom

Address

Oxford Road
M13 9PT Manchester

UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA

Austria

Address

Waehringer Guertel 18-20
1090 Wien