HORIZON EUROPE REBORN

Remodeling of the infarcted heart: piezoelectric patch enabling the sequential release of biological factors.

January 1st 2023 - December 31st 2026

Budget: € 4.944.746

Web Site: https://www.rebornproject.eu 

Link to the video: https://youtu.be/BWj9XyH-8cA?si=43BHGtGGtUAOgNWV

Coordinator: Prof. Chiara Vitale-Brovarone

The REBORN project will aim to use smart and multifunctional biomaterials to deliver a new medical device in the form of a cardiac patch, to be applied to the heart in order to stimulate and support local heart tissue remodelling. The piezoelectric patch will electromechanically couple with the heart and deliver anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and cardiomyocyte proliferative factors on demand, with drug release triggered by ultrasonic (US) stimulation from outside the body. Development of the device will be based on new smart multifunctional materials: electrospun piezoelectric fibres. REBORN will exploit multifunctional biomaterials, bioinks, 3D technologies for scaffold fabrication and tissue engineering concepts to offer a solution for an unmet clinical need related to the heart failure which is the main cause of mortality in Europe and around the world.Several biological functions will be stimulated via an engineered exploitation of different cues (e.g. chemical, topological and electromechanical) as well as an ad hoc developed ultrasonic system for a smart, triggered release of the incorporated therapeutics.

In brief, REBORN will deliver:

  • The development of a piezoelectric, electrospun patch containing multifunctional biomaterials able to combine multiple biological cues.
  • The creation of an ultrasound stimulation platforms able to trigger the release of the therapeutics incorporated into the REBORN patch.
  • The production of an advanced in vitro model to support the development and validation of the REBORN patch.