A new material for bone and ligament regeneration

This project addresses unmet needs within orthopedic care, focusing specifically on non-union fractures and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, through the development of novel treatment strategies.

This will be done by using a novel biomaterial - spider silk - reknown for its biocompatibility and impressive mechanical properties.

Specifically, we will build on our ability to produce artificial spider silk fibers using only water-based solutions and ambient temperatures to engineer a novel type of ligament replacements that optionally can harbor growth factors. In another line of research, we have invented a method for making hydrogels from soluble spider silk proteins.

Human mesenchymal stem cells can be encapsulated in these hydrogels that form spontaneously and within minutes when the temperature is increased to 37°C.

This groundbreaking achievement offers a promising avenue for the creation of injectable, optionally bioactive, scaffolds.

Our research extends beyond scaffold development to explore the rejuvenation of MSCs sourced from elderly individuals, who often exhibit diminished regenerative capacity.

This multidisciplinary approach, which integrates advanced biomaterials, tissue engineering techniques, and targeted cellular therapies, holds promise for transforming the management of fractures, ACL injuries, and critical bone defects.