RWTH Aachen University has been awarded a €1.2 million grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to develop a novel approach to osteochondral defect repair. The project will be carried out by a consortium of researchers from the Institute for Textile Applications, the Institute of Structural Mechanics and Lightweight Design, and the Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology of the Uniklinik RWTH Aachen.
The project's goal is to develop a biomimetic scaffold made from polymeric materials to promote the regeneration of cartilage and an absorbable metallic scaffold for bone tissue repair. The new Medical Device for cartilage-bone repair (CarBoMD) will be designed to mimic the tissues’ natural properties.
Holger Jahr, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Experimental Orthopaedics at the Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and a leading investigator on the project, is thrilled to receive this grant from the BMBF as this funding will allow us to bring a vision of a revolutionary treatment for osteochondral defects to life.
The biggest share of the grant, €475,000, will go to the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, which will be responsible for developing and testing the bone scaffold. Another €330,000 was secured for the Institute of Structural Mechanics and Lightweight Design, where he holds a co-affiliation.
Osteochondral defects are injuries to the bone and the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in articulating joints. These defects cause pain and limited mobility. Current treatments for these defects often have limited success rates. The research team hopes that their new approach will provide a more effective treatment for osteochondral defects.
As off now, two 3-year PhD positions are available at the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. Please contact hjahrukaachende or our secretariat (Ms. Heiliger, sheiliger@ukaachen.de).
