Today’s demand for regeneration and reparation of bone is approximately 4 million operations involving bone grafting or bone substitutes performed annually worldwide. Tissue engineering has the potential to revolutionise the treatment of skeletal defects by providing functional grafts upon demand, especially applicable for personalised treatments. Although significant effort has been given to development and performances of scaffolds- as starting point in engineering the solutions for bone healing, continuation of the persistent research is needed to get functional biotechnology ready for their implantation.

The main aim of the proposed project is development of the innovative biotechnology for formation of the intelligent biomimetic scaffolds as advanced solutions for bone tissue engineering capable to provide high level of chemical stability, structural integrity and cytocompatibility. For that purpose multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach will be applied to:

1. Reach significantly high level of the similarity of the scaffold with the native bone tissue by mimicking its compositional, structural, surface and mechanical properties;
2. Rationalise bioactivity-biodegradation-mechanical strength relationship by the application of the interpenetrating polymer approach where mechanical strength of synthetic polymers will be combined with bioactivity and strength-supported role of natural polymers;
3. Formulate the innovative approach for assembly of the 3D scaffolds specially optimised to combine controlled micro-porosity, nanostructured topography, and specific surface functionalities within a single scaffold; and
4. Incorporate the mechanism for guiding the regeneration process by two-directional interaction of the scaffold with surrounding cells in order to reach desired biological response.

The project provides effective support to development of innovative tissue engineering biotechnology in transition countries by the collaborative investigation and transfer of the experiences, skills and knowledge from developed countries. Switzerland with one of the largest and the most successful tissue engineering industry in Europe, where the benefits of the intensive research in this field show clear potential for further growth, will support innovation in bone tissue engineering research in transition countries. Building capacity for creation and development of a perspective, novel local biotechnology, getting experience and skills in this field and availability of the laboratory specialised for novel advanced technology will trigger opportunities for further independent academic growth in transition countries and consequently provide a chance for their future socio-economic progress.

The project was financed by the external page SCOPES programme of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).