Dorota Kołbuk-Konieczny, PhD, DSc from the Laboratory of Polymers and Biomaterials IPPT PAN has become the coordinator and leader of the M-ERA.NET Call 2024.
The project will involve:
three teams from renowned scientific units will participate:
- Institute of Fundamental Technological Research Polish Academy of Sciences (IPPT PAN)
- Research Institute Innovative Medicine Centre (Lithuania)
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (Latvia)
and
one team from
- SCINNOVATION S.R.O. company (Czech Republic).
The title of the project is "Functional materials Smart Piezoelectric Bio-based Osteochondral Construct as a Model for Drug Testing and Implant for Joint Defects", acronym: SMARTPIEZO.
SMARTPIEZO addresses the critical challenge of joint defects caused by trauma, osteoarthritis, arthritis, or cancer, conditions that currently lack effective treatment options and regenerative solutions. The project aims to develop sPiezoBio, a bio-based, piezoelectric osteochondral construct designed for JD repair and drug testing.
Our scaffolds have promising applications in joint defects treatment, providing an innovative solution for joint defect filling and regeneration. Beyond direct medical applications, it also serves as an in-vitro osteochondral tissue model for drug and treatment testing, accelerating pharmaceutical advancements. By promoting cellular growth and regeneration, scaffolds have significant translational potential, improving patient outcomes, advancing treatments, and expediting drug development for musculoskeletal disorders.
Only fifteen research teams with the participation of scientists from Poland received funding for the implementation of projects in the area of materials science and engineering as part of the international M-ERA.NET network competition, which is why it is a special distinction and recognition for us.
382 preliminary applications were submitted in the competition, followed by 101 full applications. Funding will be provided to 31 projects from several countries.
We congratulate the winners and wish them interesting discoveries.
