Artificial Ligament with Bioactive Nanostructure (ALBioN)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Materials Science & Metallurgy
Abstract
This project will develop a medical device for the regenerative repair of torn ligaments using a platform technology for the production of smart, nanocomposite materials based on collagen, glycosaminoglycans and a bioactive calcium phosphate. The aim is to develop a graft which is capable of replacing the full anterior cruciate ligament. The technology will also be appropriate for the much less demanding application of ligament donor site repair. The effects of collagen fibril length, process parameters and cross-link density on the stucture and properties of the materials will be studied, allowing tailored design of the graft.
Publications
Enea D
(2011)
Extruded collagen fibres for tissue engineering applications: effect of crosslinking method on mechanical and biological properties.
in Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine
Enea D
(2013)
Collagen fibre implant for tendon and ligament biological augmentation. In vivo study in an ovine model.
in Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA
Kew SJ
(2011)
Regeneration and repair of tendon and ligament tissue using collagen fibre biomaterials.
in Acta biomaterialia
Mullen LM
(2010)
Binding and release characteristics of insulin-like growth factor-1 from a collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold.
in Tissue engineering. Part C, Methods
Mullen LM
(2015)
Bioactive IGF-1 release from collagen-GAG scaffold to enhance cartilage repair in vitro.
in Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine
Shepherd D
(2015)
The process of EDC-NHS cross-linking of reconstituted collagen fibres increases collagen fibrillar order and alignment
in APL Materials
Shepherd JH
(2013)
Effect of fiber crosslinking on collagen-fiber reinforced collagen-chondroitin-6-sulfate materials for regenerating load-bearing soft tissues.
in Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A
| Description | The project was extremely worthwhile. Together with our partners in the consortium we have (1) Established design and processing methodology of a collagen based extruded fibre (2) Optimised cross-linking chemistries for improved mechanical strength of the extruded fibres (3) Completed biocompatibility assessment of cross linked fibres with human and sheep tenocytes for cell growth and proliferation (4) Complete mechanical characterisation of cross-linked fibres (5) A scaled up production system yielding 5-fold increase in fibre extrusion throughput (6) Fully tested implant constructs from fibre material (7) Completed study protocol for a bone-patella tendon-bone model with clinical procedure tested in mock systems (8) Successful implementation of evaluation of the fibre implant in the central 1/3rd section of the bone-patella tendon/bonemodel (9) Successful implementation of evaluation of rotator cuff model. (10) A clinical trial of rotator cuff treatment is under discussion. |
| Exploitation Route | A clinical trial of rotator cuff treatment is under discussion. Novel treatments for rotator cuff injury are indicated by this research. A clinical trial is under discussion. Research has also extended into the development of related scaffolds for - heart patches and vascular grafts (funded by British Heart Foundation) - in vitro mammary gland for screening of breast cancer treatments and personalised medicine initiatives - culture and differentiation of megakaryocytes for platelet production |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | http://www.orthopaedics.cam.ac.uk/pages/liga.html |
| Description | Development of Novel Fibre Regeneration Templates (FRT) for the Regeneration of Load Bearing Tissues in the Knee Joint |
| Amount | £41,216 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2010 |
| End | 08/2011 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £41,216 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | KTS Scheme |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2010 |
| End | 08/2011 |