Objective
This proposal concerns with the development of functional 3D hierarchical vasculature within engineered freeze-dried collagen scaffolds. The main objective is to investigate the contribution of scaffold’s pore architecture (size, shape and interconnectivity) and culture conditions, such as cell ratios in co-culture, perfusion vs. static culture and hypoxia, on the self-organisation of endothelial cells into vascular-like structures. A comprehensive 2-year, highly inter-disciplinary programme is planned encompassing processing, scaffold structure characterisation, structure-property investigation and systematic in vitro experimentation. The in vitro work will be carried out in collaboration with the REPAIR-lab in Mainz, Germany - a founding member of the European Commission Network of Excellence EXPERTISSUES.
Freeze-drying process parameters will be varied to produce isotropic and anisotropic scaffolds, with pore sizes mimicking native small blood vessels. The pore architecture, in both dry and hydrated states, will be quantified via X-ray tomography and 2-photon confocal microscopy, respectively, using original methodologies. The Young’s modulus and resistance to fluid flow (permeability) of scaffolds will be measured as a function of pore architecture characteristics. A customised set-up allowing low strain measurements of Young’s modulus will be used to establish whether conventional mechanical testing is suitable. Fluid permeability will be measured by applying a constant pressure gradient. Rather surprisingly in view of permeability’s significance in nutrient diffusion and waste removal, there is only a single study on permeability. Vascular organization, maturation and functionality of optimised scaffolds will be studied as a function of pore architecture, using state-of-the-art microscopy, real-time imaging, perfusion tests, histology and a variety of biochemical assays.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology tissue engineering
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy confocal microscopy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine transplantation
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health epidemiology modeling of diseases spread
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
CB2 1TN Cambridge
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.