A novel device to control in-situ the thermal gelation and concentration of cell-seeded hydrogels

Project coordinator(s)

Dr. Tony Robinson
Email: [javascript protected email address]
Tel: +353 1 896 3919

Dr. Danny Kelly
Email: [javascript protected email address]
Tel: +353 1 896 3947

Dr. Fergal O'Brien

Post-graduate Staff

Dr. Conor Buckley

Description

It is believed that injuries to cartilage predispose a person to osteoarthritis in later life and eventually to a requirement for joint replacement surgery. Injectable chondrocyte-seeded hydrogels can potentially be used to fill cartilage defects with a functional repair tissue. Ensuring that the hydrogel has the appropriate mechanical properties in situ (e.g. stiffness, permeability, porosity) is critical for successful repair. The objective of this project is to develop a clinical device capable of controlling dependant mechanical properties of the construct.

Funding Body

Enterprise Ireland (Proof of Concept Grant)