Projects
Prometheus: Division of skeletal tissue engineering KU Leuven
Prometheus, is an interdisciplinary, translational, research platform focusing on skeletal tissue engineering and technology transfer. Members include the Divisions of Rheumatology, Orthopaedics, Biomechanics, Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Prosthetic Dentistry, Bioresponses (Bioscience Engineering), the Department of Materials Engineering (KU Leuven), and the Division of Biomechanics (University of Liège). Consisting of 50+ PhD ...
Development of Inks for Tissue Engineering of the Dentoalveolar Region through Bioprinting KU Leuven
Oral health issues in the dentoalveolar region are considered to have a significant impact on the individual’s quality of life. Consequently, a range of treatment options have been developed to address complications in this region. However, certain shortcomings of these treatments have resulted in the exploration of regenerative strategies and tissue engineering approaches aimed at reconstructing tissue structures in this region. Within the ...
Mapping of skeletal progenitors in embryonic limb cartilage Their application in bone tissue engineering KU Leuven
Large bone defects can be caused by major trauma, infection, prosthetic revision, bone tumour resection or non-healing fractures and in clinical practice, their healing remains a therapeutic challenge. Current treatments such as iliac crest autografts or cadaver allografts require multiple and repetitive interventions and are associated with various risks resulting in a high socio-economic burden. Several tissue engineering strategies have ...
Application of novel 3D polymer scaffolds for skeletal muscle tissue engineering KU Leuven
About 40% of the human body mass consists of skeletal muscle (Liu et al. 2018). Upon injury, the skeletal muscle tissue can regenerate physiologically till some extend. However, when there is a volumetric muscle loss (VML), the remaining muscle tissue is unable to fully regenerate itself. This VML causes scar tissue and substantial negative impact on patients’ morbidity and life quality (Liu et al. 2018, Grasman et al. 2015). The current ...
4D monitoring of neo-tissue growth inside perfused tissue engineering constructs - A model supported contrast enhanced computed tomography approach. KU Leuven
Tissue engineering (TE) is still facing challenges with respect to the quality of its products. Advancing engineering aspects lacking in the field will be crucial in order to tackle these challenges. Bioreactor technology is one of these enabling technologies that helps to obtain high TE product quality as it allows for controlled in vitro formation of 3D neo-tissues (cells + extracellular matrix). As these neotissue are 3D dynamic structures ...
Development and characterization of a photocurable gelatin-based hydrogel as a cell-carrier for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting and osteochondral tissue engineering. KU Leuven
Recent advances in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering (TE) have opened the way for novel treatment strategies for damaged joints. Inspired by developmental biology and based on principles of engineering, TE aims to manufacture a cell-based construct in a clinically relevant manner. To do so, cells are combined with an appropriate biomaterial and growth factors in such a way that it stimulates de novo tissue formation. ...
Mechanical and rheological characterization of micro-tissues for tissue engineering KU Leuven
This PhD is focused on advancing bone tissue engineering by investigating chondrogenic organoids, which closely mimic the natural bone development process and have shown promise in enhancing tissue engineering outcomes. The project encompasses three main objectives: First, the characterization of mechanical and rheological properties of chondrogenic organoids and tissue spheroids using atomic force microscopy. Second, the measurement of ...
Development of Tools for Quality Control of Combination Product Design and Manufacturing for Use in Skeletal Tissue Engineering Applications. KU Leuven
Mechanical characterization of micro-tissues for tissue engineering KU Leuven
We will make use of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), a high-resolution technique that measures local mechanical forces from the deflection of a cantilever, and nanoindentation (NI). We will perform AFM and NI measurements on micro-tissues from adult progenitors (hPDCs and iPS) at different stages of chondro-genic differentiation. From AFM measurements, we will obtain the apparent visco-elastic properties of the multicellular material, as it ...