The goal of the project is to develop an in vitro system of neural tissue made from the differentiation of embryonic stem cells inside biomaterials, that exhibits the neural tissue property of the memory acquisition/learning of electrical stimulus, it could be used in several pharmacology and toxicology applications related with neural tissue structure and function that are currently performed on animals.

It will also be used for regulatory purposes in particular a virtual training program about standard operating procedures (SOP) will be established for the model and tests developed within the project.

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SME Supply Chain Integration for Enhanced Fully Customisable Medical Implants, using New Biomaterials and Rapid Manufacturing Technologies, to Enhance the Quality of Life for EU Citizens The 2010 industry paradigm will be that the 'Implantable Medical Device' surgeon will plan and execute surgical operations based solely on the clinical needs of the patient. Custom-IMD will realise this vision through the development of new biomaterials for the manufacture of innovative fully customised medical implants using enhanced rapid manufacturing technologies; achieving implant design, manufacture, sterilisation, regulatory approval and delivery to the surgeon within a 48 hour time frame.

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Current strategies to repair damaged axonal pathways in peripheral nervous system (PNS), besides autologous nerve grafts, have concerned the application of bridging substrates that guide axonal regeneration across the lesion site. This IRG project is focused on the developing and evaluation of a series of novel guide channels based on biocompatible and biodegradable polymers for PNS regeneration. Natural polymers and their derivatives, and synthetic polymers: polyesters, e.g. poly(epsilon-caprolacotne), polycarbonates, e.g. poly(trimethylene carbonate), and polyester-ethers, e.g. polydioxanone will be examined in the form of blends, crosslinked and grafted material. Guidance tube manufacturing technology will include phase-inversion spinning, solution cast molding, radiation crosslinking, grafting by chemical and radiation method. Since these products are intended to be sterilized by radiation method, effects of irradiation on individual components and the complete biomaterials will be examined. In-vitro assessment of fabricated tubular guides, besides standard physicochemical tests, will include biocompatibility, biodegradability, bioactivity, etc. In-vivo animal trials of carefully chosen formerly examined in-vitro tube biomaterials are considered to be performed at collaborating institute in the final period of the project. This study will have remarkable impact on enhancement of the quality of life of EU citizens. Utilization of developed nerve guide channel implants, with tailored parameters and improved functionality, will shorten recovery period after surgery of PNS injuries and facilitate restoration of nerve functions. The new knowledge generated from this project will certainly contribute to the researcher's career and competitiveness of EU in academic research fields as well as biomedical business, especially SME, in advanced high-technology sectors.

To learn more: wach@mitr.p.lodz.pl