Engineering cartilage intermediates for skeletal repair by cell reprogramming, targeting cell metabolism and advanced manufacturing.

The treatment of large skeletal defects, including long bone and osteochondral joint surface defects, remains a major challenge in the clinics. Key problems in using cell-based constructs in regenerative medicine are the poor cell survival, the unpredictable cell fate and the impaired cell function. Inspired by developmental biology and based on principles of engineering, we hypothesize that combining biological and engineering tools will result in a superior tissue engineering strategy. These tools encompass novel iPSc technologies, metabolic targeting and advanced manufacturing, supported by dedicated imaging and computational modeling tools. With this unique combination of innovative approaches, we aim to manufacture cartilage tissue intermediates that upon implantation into an appropriate animal model will result in the repair of large bone or deep osteochondral defects, and may thus set the stage for the creation of biological joints.

Keywords:skeletal repair, bone regeneration, osteochondral defect, tissue engineering

Disciplines:Laboratory medicine, Palliative care and end-of-life care, Regenerative medicine, Other basic sciences, Other health sciences, Nursing, Other paramedical sciences, Other translational sciences, Other medical and health sciences, Tissue engineering, Musculo-skeletal systems