ABREM · Advanced Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine

Advanced Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine

The main aim of this project has been to establish a long-lasting collaboration and create a network of European and Chinese research centres of excellence and R&D active SMEs in the area of biomedical materials. This aim has been achieved by undertaking joint research activities in creating advanced nanostructured composite ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ biomedical materials for regenerative medicine, drug delivery systems and biosensors for biomedical applications via collaboration facilitated by individual mobility of researchers and transfer of knowledge between leading research centres in Europe and China. The main research results of the project are: - Novel nanostructured composite carbon/carbon, carbon/polymer, polymer/polymer, carbon/ceramic biomaterials have been synthesised, characterised and assessed for their potential of bone replacement; - Biomaterials with biospecific and bioselective surface functional groups and bioactive coatings have been designed and their biological performance evaluated in clinically reflective tests in vitro; - Target drug delivery systems that can carry bioactive agents or carry induced pluripotent stem cells have been produced and assessed for their selectivity and efficiency in vitro; - The possibility of using a bisphosphonate as an anti-osteoporosis agent to combat the neurodegeneration was explored. The technique of using membrane patch clamping to isolate and monitor potassium efflux from nerve cells was employed. The technique has the potential to assess the effect of bisphosponate on nerve regeneration and incorporation of bioactive bisphosponates into tissue regeneration materials; - A novel sensitive biosensor device based on magnetic gold-coated nanoparticles for imaging and destruction of the target breast cancer cells has been constructed and tested; - Biocompatible polymer/polymer nano- and microfibers have been produced using an in-house designed electrospinning technique; - A new biomimetic material for making artificial blood vessels with in situ catalytic generation of nitric oxide (NO) has been designed. Adhesion and spreading of smooth muscle cells were inhibited on this material, while proliferation of endothelial cells was promoted. In vitro platelet adhesion and arteriovenous shunt experiments demonstrated good antithrombotic properties of this material, with inhibited platelet activation and aggregation, and potential for the use of this material in coronary stenting. prevention of acute thrombosis. - Enzyme prodrug therapy technique was employed to construct a functional vascular graft. The enzyme-functionalised graft exhibited localised and on-demand release of NO. It retained catalytic property after subcutaneous implantation into the rat abdominal aorta for one month. Results showed effective inhibition of thrombus formation in vivo and enhancement of vascular tissue regeneration and remodelling on the grafts; - Parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells derived from artificially activated oocytes transplanted in mice attenuated cardiac dysfunction and adverse ventricular remodelling post myocardial infarction, suggesting that they may be used to develop a promising treatment for patients suffering from this condition. - The controllable NO releasing hydrogel was synthesised with the aim of improving the heart performance post-myocardial infarction by enhancing the engraftment and paracrine effect of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells. The results suggest that NO releasing hydrogel can be used as a vehicle for stem cells therapy to treat myocardial infarction; - The molecular imaging technology developed in the project makes it possible to non-invasively monitor the transplanted stem cells and track the therapeutic mechanism in vivo, which may significantly facilitate future stem cell therapy. The proposed therapeutic strategy may be a practical alternative to conventional approaches for treating degenerative diseases with stem cells. - The biomaterials produced in the project were assessed for different biomedical applications, such as drug delivery systems for ophthalmology, extracorporeal blood purification, bone replacement, tissue regeneration, biosensing, hyperthermal therapy in cancer treatment, and cell encapsulation for diabetes I treatment. The materials tested showed good biocompatibility and promising results for further development and applications in regenerative medicine. The project responds to key priorities for strengthening EC-China collaboration as identified in the S&T Agreement between the two parties. It lays foundation for long-lasting strategic collaboration between research centres of excellence.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union