H2020 GIOTTO

Active ageing and osteoporosis: the next challenge for smart nanobiomaterials and 3D technologies.

January 1^st 2019 – August 31^st 2023

Budget: € 5.660.096

Coordinator: Prof. Chiara Vitale-Brovarone

Osteoporosis can lead to different types of fractures located in dissimilar body parts and thus, to face this osseous, degenerative pathology, a dedicated, personalised approach is needed. In such a contest, the GIOTTO project will come into place developing a platform of technologies and materials designed to treat specific osteoporotic fractures through a synergistic convergence of smart nanomaterials, 3D fabrication technologies and targeted cell activation.

Three different devices will be developed sharing smart nanobiomaterials that release chemical and biological cues to stimulate bone regeneration while reducing bone loss:

1) 3D graded scaffold, which can by fixated with screws, to treat long bone fractures;

2) Fibrous scaffold to deal with small, not confined pelvic fractures;

3) Radiopaque, bioresorbable, injectable cement to stabilise vertebral fractures.

Nanofunctionalisation and the smart, temporalised release of active molecules (ICOS-Fc) will allow for the systematic cell recruitment and activation needed to face the challenges of stimulating bone tissue regeneration in the elderly. A further boost to meet patient specificity and needs, will be provided through the use of functionalised magnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs) in order to provide, via the application of an external oscillating magnetic field, a remote tool to activate mechanotransduction. In parallel, an Internet of Things (IoT) platform will be developed to gather and collate measurable data inputs about device effectiveness and to provide decision support software as a service to improve the design, manufacture and clinical function of the proposed devices, ultimately managing the overall value chain.

The GIOTTO project involves 10 different countries and 14 partners institutions, 7 high tech SMEs and 7 top European Universities.