University of Teramo 3

ITA | ENG

Project
“Tendon Regenerative Medicine" involves the design of a multiphasic functionalized 3D construct for tendon/ligament regeneration using stem cells, cells that have the ability to induce regeneration. The challenge in regenerative medicine is to develop therapeutic approaches that combine the use of biodegradable composite materials (scaffolds), able to provide structural and biomechanical support to tissue regeneration, with the use of stem cells to modulate the regenerative mechanisms while providing exogenous progenitor cells. The project aims to develop scaffolds capable of combining adequate biomechanical properties with favourable biochemical habits.

Financial Resources
The project was funded by the NOP Research and Innovation 2014-2020, Action Innovative Industrial Doctorates, Cycle XXXIII - Academic Year 2017-2018. For the implementation of this initiative, the University of Teramo, which received a budget of 90,140.14 euro, established a three-year doctoral scholarship in Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology. 

Impact
The project takes on the new challenges raised in clinical orthopaedics in the context of tendon regenerative medicine aimed at treating tendon/ligament disorders that have a high incidence in the population (15 million cases are estimated to occur in the EU and the US every year) and a significant impact on the costs of health services worldwide (180 billion euro in the EU and the US in 2012). Tendon and ligament disorders affect joint movements badly, which can result in substantial disability and consequent impact on quality of life for patients. The prognosis of incurability is related to the reduced regenerative potential of the tissue which, once repaired either spontaneously or through rehabilitation and/or surgical treatment, loses part of its functional properties. It is therefore crucial to develop therapies capable of enhancing the endogenous regenerative mechanisms or of exogenously introducing progenitor cells capable of differentiating unequivocally towards the tenoplastic line. The project aims to achieve this objective by combining pre-competitive research and development elements (design of functionalizing scaffolds) while developing results that the company involved will use to launch innovative medical devices on the Italian and international markets. In addition, the project enhances Italian public research by developing an international and cross-sectoral network aimed at advanced training which is a key factor in supporting a knowledge-based economy.
The project includes a 6-month placement at the company Fidia Farmaceutici Spa in Abano Terme and a 6-month placement at the Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine, Keele University, United Kingdom.

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11/08/2021