Explant model
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Human bone tissue for study the performance of bone plugs
IRAS ID
192744
Contact name
Chaozong Liu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Treatments of osteochondral defects using tissue engineering methods have been established and are promising for the treatment of small osteochondral defects. In this approach, the use of 3D scaffolds (with or without cells) has been used to provide support for tissue growth. The osteochondral scaffold, which promotes the simultaneous regeneration of articular cartilage and underlining subchondral bone, is a key component for osteochondral tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
We have developed a novel osteochondral scaffold for large osteochondral defect repairs through EPSRC MeDe Innovation and ARUK PoC awards. Although in vivo animal studies have provided valuable information, however, greater variability in experimental results was reported due to the variations such as include species, locations, age and sex, size, and limited control of parameters in animal models. We believe that human explants from joint replacement surgery would provide more “realistic” biological environment than animal models. Evaluation of scaffolds using human explants would provide valuable and complementary information to animal models before clinical trials. This will speed up the translation of research into clinical practice.
This project will develop a human explant model to evaluate the performance of osteochondral scaffolds developed through an ARUK proof of concept award using human explants, and to establish and validate the human explant models for osteochondral scaffold test.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/2052
Date of REC Opinion
27 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion