Follow on: Self assembling biphasic gels and hydrogels for cartilage substitution therapies

超过40%的人患有髋关节和膝关节的退行性骨关节炎，其中10%的人需要进行关节置换。关节软骨具有独特的固有双相润滑特性。我们最近开发了一种用于自然膝关节内侧隔室的新型关节模拟系统，并显示了关节软骨双相表面非晶态层在减少摩擦和磨损方面的重要性。我们已经证明了使用专利的自组装肽（SAP）凝胶减少了简单几何软骨标本的摩擦。与此同时，通过与一家工业合作伙伴的合作，我们还展示了双相合成水凝胶与单相高分子生物材料相比的摩擦优势。在接下来的基金申请中，我们打算将这三项基础研究结合起来，并使用我们独特的自然膝关节模拟系统来评估专利sap作为低级别软骨退变的潜在注射治疗润滑剂的长期性能。此外，我们将把sap与合成的双相水凝胶结合起来，并与现有的软骨替代生物材料进行比较，评估其增强的摩擦学性能。市场潜力和商业机会将由大学技术转让伙伴IP2IPO， BITECIC和工业合作者评估和开发。

Over forty percent of the population suffer from degenerative osteoarthritis of hip and knee and in ten percent this can result in the need for joint replacement. Articular cartilage has unique intrinsic biphasic lubrication properties. We have recently developed a novel joint simulation system for the medial compartment of the natural knee, and have shown the importance of the biphasic surface amorphous layer in articular cartilage on the reduction of friction and wear. We have shown a reduction in friction with simple geometry cartilage specimens using patented self assembling peptide (SAP) gels. In parallel, and in collaboration with an industrial partner, we have also shown the frictional advantage of a biphasic synthetic hydrogel in comparison with single phase polymer biomaterials.In this follow on fund application we intend to converge these three pieces of basic research and use our unique natural knee simulation system to evaluate the longer term performance of patented SAPs as potential injectable therapeutic lubricants for low grade cartilage degeneration. Additionally we will combine the SAPs with the synthetic biphasic hydrogels and evaluate the enhanced tribological performance in comparison with existing cartilage substitution biomaterials. Market potential and business opportunities will be evaluated and developed by the University technology transfer partners IP2IPO, BITECIC and industrial collaborator.