Re-COLL · Restoring the structural collagen network in the regeneration of cartilage

How can we durably regenerate damaged tissues in our body? At present, the answer to this question is largely unknown. Cell-based tissue engineering approaches can be used to produce living implants in the laboratory with a composition that is not unlike real tissues. However, the collagen-based matrix within such structures often lacks the specific intricate organisation that is imperative for the required biomechanical properties, functionality and mechanical stability. This is the cause of our inability to provide a durable cure for damaged tissues that are mechanically challenged, such as articular cartilage. In Re-COLL, I aim to unravel the triggers that underlie the formation, guidance and integration of the structural anisotropic collagen networks in articular cartilage and leverage biofabrication technologies and biointerface engineering to generate durable implants for the restoration of damaged joints. With my multidisciplinary team, I will identify the (bio)chemical, physical and mechanical factors that can influence the formation and integration of the engineered collagen engineered collagen network. For this purpose, I will create unique in vitro and ex vivo models specifically designed for studying the organisation of anisotropic collagen networks in cartilage tissue. With the generated new insights, I will engineer larger tissue grafts that allow the guidance of the structural collagen organisation, as well as its integration within the recipient. To delineate the interplay between the anisotropic collagen networks and tissue function, I will extensively evaluate the performance of cartilage grafts at the tissue and organ level. Through Re-COLL, I will advance the scientific field of orthopaedic regeneration by tackling major gaps in knowledge and technology to set the fundamentals for engineering more functional and stable biosimilars that can restore tissue anisotropy in patients.