Page 24 - MEMOCiberesp014-ENG

A paradigm shift is taking place in orthopaedic and reconstructive surgery from using medical devices and tissue grafts to a tissue engineering approach that uses biodegradable scaffolds combined with cells or bio- logical molecules to repair and/or regenerate tissues .
CIBER-BBN studies scaffold-based tissue engineering which includes the development of new materials for scaffolds; the design and use of bioreactors for cell culture; the analysis of the processes involved and the effect of different tissue regeneration stimuli on scaffolds, both in vitro and in vivo; the functionalisation of the scaffold surface; or non invasive follow up and in vitro and in vivo monitoring systems, among many others .
Two new concepts have been added as they are leading research lines in this field: (1) Decellularisation and recellularisation of organs and tissues and (2) generation of organoids from stem cells .
(1) A promising tissue-engineering / regenerative-medicine approach for functional organ replacement has emerged in recent years . Decellularisation of donor organs such as heart, liver, and lung can provide a natural three-dimensional biologic scaffold material that can be seeded with selected cell populations . Preliminary studies in animal models have provided encouraging results for the proof of concept . Some of CIBER-BBN’s research groups are focused on studying it as significant challenges for three-dimensional organ engineering approach still remain .
(2) Generation of transplantable organs using stem cells is a desirable approach for organ replacement and some of CIBER-BBN’s basic and clinical scientist have great interest on it .
BM 3. PROTHESES AND IMPLANTS:
• • •
Modelling and biomechanics . System of treatment and surface functionalisation . Custom prosthesis . 3D Printing .
The global objective of this line is to move forward in a new generation of patient-specific prostheses and implants, with greater control over their behaviour and over the evolution of the organ after implantation .
Therefore, this line includes all those elements contributing to the improvement of implant design and features such as: advanced modelling, considering the implant-organ interaction (osseointegration, tissue adaptation, influence of drugs, etc .); systems for supporting surgical decisions; surface mechanization and functionalization systems; local and controlled drug release systems operating from the surface of the im- plant; biomaterials for implantation; intelligent prostheses (active monitoring and control), etc .
24 CIBER-BBN » Annual report 2014