An ageing population has led to an increase in the prevalence of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, which affects more than 528 million people worldwide and represents a significant socio-economic and public health challenge. Osteoarthritis is a multifactorial condition characterised by the progressive degradation of articular cartilage, with genetic, mechanical and cellular factors – such as senescence – contributing to its development. Despite advances in diagnostic techniques and cell therapies, there is still no cure or treatment capable of halting its progression.

This project aims to develop a tissue engineering strategy for osteochondral regeneration based on advanced biomaterials. The proposal involves the use of semi-interpenetrating (semi-IPN) and/or interpenetrating (IPN) networks of alginate and hyaluronic acid, with and without a decellularised cartilage matrix (dECM), as functional hydrogels, combined with 3D-printed polymeric scaffolds to improve mechanical stability and structural integration. In addition, the incorporation of bioceramics such as hydroxyapatite for bone regeneration will be explored.

The proposal aims to provide a reproducible, scalable and translational solution for the repair of joint tissues, contributing to the development of effective and personalised therapies for osteoarthritis.

• Leartiker 
• Biogipuzkoa

1. Production of three-dimensional (3D) alginate and hyaluronic acid hydrogels as matrix substitutes for damaged articular cartilage, with and without dECM

• Development of semi-IPN and/or IPN hydrogels based on alginate and hyaluronic acid with dECM (dH3D) and without dECM (H3D)
• To assess the printability of the hydrogels
• To assess the hydrogels’ suitability as 3D scaffolding (degradation and cytotoxicity assays)
• In vitro mechanical evaluation of the hydrogels with chondrocytes

2.- Production of 3D composite scaffolds (SC3D) from bioactive polymeric materials as functional bone repair grafts

• Production of different composites using compounding technology
• Monitoring the quality of materials during processing and manufacture
• Design and manufacture of 3D-printed bone composites
• Assessing the mechanical behaviour, biocompatibility and bioactivity of 3D-printed bone composites

3.- Validation process for hybrid biomimetic constructs such as osteochondral scaffolds designed using tissue engineering

• Fabrication of osteochondral units by combining composite scaffolds and 3D hydrogels
• In vitro mechanical evaluation of osteochondral constructs combining composite scaffolds and hydrogels with chondrocytes