TriAnkle’s Cambridge event to show how bio-print implants heal cartilage injuries
The first workshop organised by the TriAnkle project related to development of personalised 3D bio-printed collagen-and-gelatin implants takes place on January 23 at the Clayton Hotel.
The aim of the project is to develop innovative personalised collagen- and-gelatine-based implants manufactured with 3D technology for patients with tendinopathies such as Achilles tendon partial ruptures and cartilage injuries.
This ‘open exploitation and innovation’ event in Cambridge aims to bring together healthcare professionals from both private and public organisations, as well as professionals from regulatory policy making and patenting organisations, who are leading development of novel technologies and concepts in regenerative medicine and 3D bio-printing.
The collaboration has developed the TriAnkle, an innovative medical application that aims to improve the junctions and cartilages – and therefore the overall movement – of the ankle by introducing a tailored, 3D bio-printed collagen-and-gelatin-based structure in the affected area.
The project has received funding from the EU Horizon 2020 Programme, and has assembled a team of 12 leading international organisations covering the complete spectrum from advanced research to the market. The organisations include Viscofan BioEngineering, Cellink (BICO), Osteoarthritis Foundation International (OAFI) and Barca Innovation Hub, which is run by Barcelona Football Club.
Cartilage damage can cause serious reduction in sports performance, particularly for those sports where fast acceleration and deceleration, plus rapid pivoting, is the norm – for instance in sports such as basketball, American football, and football.
FC Barcelona is leveraging its brand to develop technologies with impact beyond sports. Its sport innovation and knowledge centre was established in 2017 “to promote new scientific research projects, collaborate to create new products and services, and enhance future professionals in the industry through our digital platform, master programs and conferences”.
TriAnkle is an EU funded collaborative R&D project and Cambridge Nanomaterials Technology is one of the project partners responsible for the management of innovation and exploitation of the project results.
Dr Bojan Boskovic, director of Cambridge Nanomaterials Technology, told the Cambridge Independent: “The project coordinator Viscofan BioEngineering is supporting the promotion of the event on the project website and social media and they will provide an introductory presentation about the project at the start of the event.
“This would be followed. by presentations from some other key project partners and some guest speakers outside of the project. The event will provide a networking opportunity with an aim to facilitate exploitation of the project results and further development of the regenerative therapy for ankle injuries.”
Participation is free but registration is required. The Clayton Hotel is located on Station Road. Details here.