Projects

Tendon Regeneration

 

A Novel Biodegradable Construct for Tendon Regeneration

Lead N8 Academic: Professor Sandra Downes, Manchester

The Problem:

Tendons are commonly affected by chronic pain and rupture often requiring surgery. Currently there is no synthetic biodegradable material available for tendon repair and tendons are currently repaired using healthy tissue harvested from the patients hamstring (autograft) creating a second wound requiring rehabilitation. There are about 400,000 such cases of tendon surgery annually across the EU. Tendon injury often heals by the production of scar tissue which is functionally different from normal tendon matrix. There is therefore a growing interest in novel techniques for tendon repair including the use of natural and synthetic scaffolds.


The Technology:

Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed synthetic nanofibres which can form 3D scaffolds that mimic the natural bundle structure of tendon. The biodegradable scaffolds have been generated from two biopolymers; poly(caprolactone) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide), of varied composition. Polymer fibres are formed by electrospinning; this involves use of a high electrical charge to discharge a polymer solution from the end of a syringe in the form of fine fibres. These novel fibres are similar in dimensions to the collagen fibres found in tendons. The scaffold will provide tendon cells with a surface on which to grow and will provide biomechanical support for new tissue formation. This technology will provide a safer, ready-to-use synthetic material for tendon surgery and may be used to support tendons to prevent serious injury.

The Aims:

The team will investigate the physical properties of these scaffolds and how they interact with cells. The optimal scaffold composition will then be tested in animal models. Furthermore this project will ensure that the regulatory requirements can be met which will allow this technology to go forward into the clinic and commercialisation.


The Team:
Prof Sandra Downes, Professor of Biomaterials, is the principle investigator and will supervise the research.

Dr Lucy Bosworth is a Research Associate and will lead the project.

Prof Gus McGrouther is a leading surgeon in tendon repair and will provide clinical input.

UMIP Ltd, who are experienced in technology commercialisation, will provide project management.