ArthroMicroPerMed is divided to 4 major Work Packages (WP) supported by a 5th one, Management, Co-ordination and Capitalization of results, using a step-by-step approach and a parallel-way development strategy, with tasks of increasing complexity, to minimize risk and to assure success. The continuous cross-talk between the preliminary results will provide constant feedback between the different WPs and will assist in the fine designing of the experiments.
WP 1. Design and production of self-assembling “recombinamer” proteins as building blocks with bioactive sites
Duration: 24 months. Start: 1st , End: 24th
Participants: Laboratory of Biochemistry (School of Chemistry, AUTh)
Task 1.1. Design of genes codifying for “recombinamer” proteins
Task 1.2. Overexpression of “recombinamer” proteins in bacteria E. coli BL21 (DE3) and purification of “recombinamer” proteins
Task 1.3. Fabrication of “warning” mechanism for possible infection of the biomaterial based on the incorporation of poly-diacetylene into amphiphilic macromolecules which can change color on the presence of secreted metabolites of pathogenic bacteria
Task 1.4. Production of cross-linked porous hydrogels consisting of self-assembling “recombinamers”
WP 2. Mesenchymal stem cells, biomaterials and signaling of metabolic pathways
Duration: 34 months. Start: 1st , End: 34th
Participants: Biohellenika, Laboratory of Biochemistry (School of Chemistry, AUTh), Laboratory of Biochemistry (School of Chemistry, University of Patras)
Task 2.1. Isolation of mesenchymal stem cells and characterization
Task 2.2. Cultures of mesenchymal stem cells on the biomaterial – biomimetic extracellular matrix
Task 2.3. Studies on the formation of vitreous cartilage in vitro
Task 2.4. Studies on triggering signaling pathways in chondrocytes
WP 3. Studies on the effect of the microbiome on the new biomimetic materials (ECM), on the occurrence and “personalized” treatment of osteoarthritis
Duration: 36 months. Start: 1st , End: 36th
Participants: Laboratory of Biochemistry (School of Chemistry, AUTh), Laboratory of Biochemistry (School of Chemistry, University of Patras), BD Inventions
Task 3.1. Cultures of anaerobic bacteria of the microbiome and isolation of metabolites
Task 3.2. Simulation of the intestinal tract, co-cultures of eukaryotic cells with anaerobic bacteria (epithelial Caco-2 with anaerobic feacali bacteria) in vitro
Task 3.3. Development/Fabrication of a micro-bioreactor for co-cultures of eukaryotic cells with anaerobic bacteria
Task 3.4. Studies on the effect of the metabolites of the microbiome on the biomaterial – biomimetic extracellular matrix
WP 4. In vivo studies in small animals with osteoarthritis
Duration: 22 months. Start: 15th , End: 36th
Participants: Pet Clinic (School of Veterinary Medicine, AUTh)
Task 4.1. In vivo studies in small animals with osteoarthritis: application of biomimetic extracellular matrix for treatment of osteoarthritis
WP 5. Management, co-ordination and capitalization of the results
Duration: 36 months. Start: 1st , End: 36th
Participants: Laboratory of Biochemistry (School of Chemistry, AUTh), Laboratory of Biochemistry (School of Chemistry, University of Patras), Pet Clinic (School of Veterinary Medicine, AUTh), Biohellenika, BD Inventions
Task 5.1. Intermediate reports and final report on the realization of the project (1st, 2nd, 3rd year)
Task 5.2. Website design
Task 5.3. Presentation of the results to the public, at large
Task 5.4. Presentations in conferences, publications in journals
The inter-relation between the work packages is shown in the following chart.
