Wishing-Table

Nutritional nanoparticles for improved bone formation and healing

The aim of this project is to engineer bone tissue and investigate whether recently discovered nutritional nanoparticles can maintain its viability and functionality post-implantation to improve bone regeneration and formation. This is done in collaboration with Kuros Biosciences B.V. that will provide an already  medically registered ceramic bone graft substitute for research purposes and their ample experience for valorization.

Bone is the second most implanted tissue worldwide. However, bone grafts often fail (≤50%) in large defect sites, leading to the necessity of revision surgeries in many patients (10%) and an overall reduction of the patient’s quality of life.  

The rapid decrease of tissue viability post implantation is considered an important factor for the observed failure of the procedures. This is typically caused by the lack of immediate functional vasculature, leading to the rapid depletion of oxygen and nutrients, causing the cells embedded within the tissue to die. Here, we want to investigate the potential of a novel nutritional nanoparticle to maintain bone tissue viability and functionality post implantation through various in vitro and in vivo experiments. The fundamental knowledge and understanding generated within this project are also expected to enable the clinical translation of cell based regenerative medicine technologies, creating value for patient healthcare by improving bone regeneration and thus patient quality of life as well as through the establishment of new companies and spin-offs.

This will be achieved by generating a library of human cells that can utilize the nutritional nanoparticles for extended viability and function under oxygen depletion. Additionally, the information generated within this project will be used to generate a formulation that will sustain the bone healing properties of the current gold standard in bone grafting, autografts.

Summary
Bone is the second most implanted tissue worldwide. In larger defect sites, the implanted bone rapidly dies due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients, leading to implant failure. Our aim is to determine whether recently discovered nutritional-nanoparticles provide sufficient nutrition to bone and whether that improves regenerative outcomes.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
1 -3
Time period
36 months
Partners
UMC logo
university of Twente
Kuros Biosciences B.V