ESR 1
Host institution: POLITECNICO DI TORINO — Torino — Italy (POLITO)
Location: Torino, Italy
Project Title: Materiomics analysis of metallic and ceramic materials for musculoskeletal regeneration
Objectives and project description
The project objective is to investigate the links between physico-chemical properties of metallic (titanium and its alloys and ceramic (bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics) materials, including chemistry (chemical composition, surface functionalization), surface morphology (topography, roughness) and hierarchical porosity (at the macro-, meso-nanoscale), and cells (pro- and eukaryotic) and tissues functionality. Optimization of the materials for specific cells and tissues responses is the core activity of the project.
Supervisors and contact person: Prof. Enrica Vernè
ESR 2
Host institution: RIGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY — Riga — Latvia (RTU)
Location: Riga, Latvia
Project Title: Smart personalized degradable biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration
Objectives and project description
The project objective is to develop personalized drug delivery systems to incorporate in biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration, including two levels of personalization:
1) Biomaterial composition; (faster or slower degrading, depending on patient and application needs);
2) Drug delivery personalization; including what is related to kinetics and doses.
Supervisors and contact persons: Prof. Janis Locs, Assoc. Prof Dagnija Loca
ESR 3
Host institution: TAMPEREEN KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR — Tampere — Finland (TAU)
Location: Tampere, Finland
Project Title: The role of proteins dynamics in biomaterials/ bone biosystem
Objectives and project description
The research project objective is to identify the physical-chemistry properties of the surface of biomaterials (metals and ceramics) influence on adsorption and kinetics of specific proteins promoter for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration.
This project analyses the impact of surface chemistry, charge and topography on model protein adsorptions and conformation. The impact of protein adsorption at the surface of the biomaterials on the stem cells fate will be also assessed.
Supervisors and contact person: Assoc. Prof. Jonathan Massera
ESR 4
Host institution: FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY AND METALLURGY — University of Belgrade — Belgrade — Serbia (UOB)
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Project Title: Biomimetic bioreactor systems as physiologically relevant environments
Objectives and project description
The project objective is to develop and utilize in vitro biomimetic bioreactor systems as physiologically relevant environments for in vitro tissue regeneration as well as for the evaluation of novel biomaterials and prediction of the biomaterial function upon implantation. The core activity of the project consists of the assessment and optimization of bioceramic and composite biomaterials for bone/osteochondral tissue regeneration in the biomimetic bioreactor systems.
Supervisors and contact person: Prof. Dr. Bojana Obradovic
ESR 5
Host institution: UNIVERSITÀ DEL PIEMONTE ORIENTALE – Novara – Italy (UPO)
Location: Novara, Italy
Project Title: Smart personalized degradable biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration
Objectives and project description
The project objectives are:
1) To deepen knowledge of the clinical problems in the regeneration of bone and cartilage and of orthopedic reconstructive surgery fields from animal retrospective studies, collecting data on the regenerative/reparative steps and mechanisms reproducible in vitro
2) To develop 3-D advanced in vitro models simulating the cellular and tissue microenvironment during the onset and progression of particular pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, such as osteoarthritis, osteolysis and alterations of bone metabolism including osteoporosis;
3) To develop and assess 3-D advanced in vitro models, consisting of human cells and tissues, for “mechanistic” studies necessary for the understanding of mechanisms of action, toxicity and dose-effect of therapeutic innovative treatments and, at the same time, for reducing the number of animals used for experimental purposes.
Supervisors and contact person: Prof. Lia Rimondini
ESR 6
Host institution: AO RESEARCH INSTITUTE — Davos — Switzerland (ARI)
Location: Davos, Switzerland
Project Title: Design of 3D in vitro vascularized organoid model
Objectives and project description
The project objectives are to:
1) Develop in vitro 3D organoid models able to study patient-specific tissue behaviour for potential novel treatment and/or implementation in the regulatory process;
2) Obtain in vitro safety/efficacy data on the “specific treatment” using the developed 3D organoid models and compare with in vivo data;
3) Learning bioprinting / acoustic patterning process for the generation of 3D organoid models;
4) Develop, print and characterization bioinks for 3D organoid models;
5) Produce perfusable tubular, vascular networks within the 3D organoid models;
6) Establish 3D organoid models’ functionality in terms of the ability to read out “drugs response”.
Supervisors and contact persons: Prof. Mauro Alini, Dr. Tiziano Serra
ESR 7
Host institution: INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE ENGENHARIA BIOMEDICA — Porto — Portugal (INEB)
Location: Porto, Portugal
Project Title: 3D microfluidic-based models for testing innervation of engineered microtissues for medical applications
Objectives and project description
The project objective is to development of 3-D microfluidic-based models to address the ability of cartilage engineered microtissues for joints medical applications to promote or avoid peripheral tissue innervation. ESR7 will acquire skills in: Fabrication of compartmentalized microfluidic devices (CMV), in vitro co-cultures in CMV, 3D neuronal/non-neuronal co-cultures, 3D neuronal/non-neuronal co-cultures in CMV, readout of cellular interactions in CMV.
Supervisors and contact persons: Prof. Meriem Lamghari, Dr. Estrela Neto, Dr. Ana Paula Filipe
ESR 8
Host institution: INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE ENGENHARIA BIOMEDICA — Porto — Portugal (INEB)
Location: Porto, Portugal
Project Title: Innervation profile of cartilage engineered constructs under exposure to inflammatory insults
Objectives and project description
The project objective is to investigate the effect of the pro-inflammatory environment on the neurotrophic vs repulsive ability of the cartilage engineered constructs. ESR8 will acquire skills in Macrophages cultures and polarization, 3-D neuronal/non-neuronal cocultures in CMV, assessment of the innervation profile triggered by cartilage engineered constructs under stimulation of the proinflammatory vs anti-inflammatory macrophages secretomes, cell and molecular biology techniques.
Supervisors and contact persons: Prof. Meriem Lamghari, Dr. Estrela Neto, Dr Ana Paula Filipe
ESR 9
Host institution: UNIVERSITA’ DEL PIEMONTE ORIENTALE – Alessandria, Novara, Vercelli — Italy (UPO)
Location: Novara, Italy
Project Title: Extracellular microvesicles and exosomes (EVs) as biomarkers/mediators of stem cells differentiation, wound healing and tissue regeneration around materials
Objectives and project description
The project objectives are to:
1) Characterize EV and exosomes in emblematic patient groups as biomarkers predictive of tissue healing and regeneration (proteomics, transcriptomics);
2) Identify the angiogenetic and neurogenetic role of EVs and exosome around materials;
3) Promote the release of angiogenetic and neurogenetic factors from EVs and exosomes by contact with optimized biomaterials.
Supervisors and contact person: Prof. Annalisa Chiocchetti
ESR 10
Host institution: UNIVERSITA’ DEL PIEMONTE ORIENTALE – Alessandria, Novara, Vercelli — Italy (UPO)
Location: Novara, Italy
Project Title: Understanding the function of immune-system cells and cellular stress adaptation during healing
Objectives and project description
The project objective is to develop protocols to evaluate immune and cellular stress responses, stress adaptation and cell death during healing and tissue regeneration in the presence of biomaterials.
Supervisors and contact person: Prof. Marco Corazzari
ESR 11
Host institution: AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR — Espoo — Finland (AALTO)
Location: Espoo, Finland
Project Title: Evaluation of in vitro degradation and associated risks of novel biomaterials for implants
Objectives and project description
The project objective is to assess in vitro of the risks of novel biomaterials solutions under pseudo-static and dynamic conditions vs. conventional controls.
Supervisors and contact person: Prof. Michael Gasik
ESR 12
Host institution: ENGINSOFT SpA — Padova — Italy (ES)
Location: Padova, Italy
Project Title: Multi-objective design and optimization (MODAO) of the data from in vitro and in vivo tests data
Objectives and project description
The project objective is to use advanced data processing and data mining methods to discover “hidden links” between the experimental and clinical variables capable to generate a greater level of evidence and to generate predictive models leading to the DSS.
Supervisors and contact person: Dr. Manolo Venturin
ESR 13
Host institution: UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY — Galway — Ireland (UOG)
Location: Galway, Ireland
Project Title: Development of a glycol-functionalised personalised hydrogel for interfacial tissue repair
Objectives and project description
The project objectives are to:
1) Validate common specific glycosignature profiles on rat, sheep and human NP and AF cells and tissue;
2) Functionalize a Type II collagen/hyaluronan hydrogel with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and/or proteoglycans (PG) motifs to maintain the phenotype and viability of patient derived bone marrow derived stem cells;
3) Evaluate the efficacy of the collagen/hyaluronan reservoir system to maintain the microenvironment, enhance GAG production and slow down disc degeneration in an organ culture model;
4) Evaluate the efficacy of the cell seeded glyco-functionalised Type II collagen/hyaluronan hydrogel to recapitulate the biosynthesis of functional extracellular matrix (ECM) in vivo.
Supervisors and contact person: Prof. Abhay Pandit
