What is the main issue that our project would like to focus on?

Almost three million patients a year suffer from femoral shaft fractures in accidents alone. Together with osteoporotic fractures and those caused by sports or diseases, a significant part of the population will encounter this condition during their lifetime. Life expectancy and demand for an active life are increasing and so is the need to develop new internal fixation devices. The most used fixing devices are made of titanium, chromium cobalt alloys, or stainless steel. Inert materials have an undeniable place in the clinical practice of treating orthopedical injuries, however, they are facing several drawbacks: long-term stay in the body causing inflammatory reactions, non-compliance with the mechanical properties of natural bone tissue that may lead to tissue necrosis and the need for secondary surgical interventions to explant the implant from the patient’s body. An alternative that brings solutions to these problems is a group of new materials called biodegradable metals (BMs). Their main role is to provide support to the damaged tissue as the new tissue grows and the implant degrades directly in the patient’s body. Due to the wide range of areas involved in the BMs development, research accelerating collaboration between experts in these areas is therefore essential. Our main goal is to share knowledge among scientists and youngsters from the V4 countries in the process of new metal-based BM development. In addition, we aim for the active involvement of students from all participating countries to encourage their interest in studying natural sciences.

What should be done to address this issue/problem?

Regional collaboration between the research and educational facilities located in V4 countries characterized by shared roles and responsibilities, resulting in a different and complementary way of thinking, can play an important role in this process. We believe that by promoting strong cooperation between partners which will enable the effective transfer and sharing of knowledge, we will be able to address several issues at the same time. 

● The development of a new BM based on biocompatible metals (like zinc and Zn-based alloy) with desirable corrosion, mechanical and biological properties functionalized with degradable polymer (PEG, PLA… ) coatings with enhanced antibacterial and anticoagulant properties 

 

● Secondly, in the process of developing new biomaterials, we will provide and carry out several students and research mobilities and meetings aimed at sharing knowledge and ideas as well as presenting the results achieved 

 

● Great emphasis will be placed on student involvement supported by the organization of practical demonstrations for young biomaterial researchers to disseminate and consolidate the knowledge acquired during the project. The decreasing number of natural sciences students problem can be addressed by increasing students’ engagement by involving them in research in research groups and by making interaction with fellow students available.

What is the regional relevance of our project?

The successful development of a new medical device serving as temporary orthopedic support would have a direct impact on the health situation not only in the region but also globally. Training young scientists and students from regional universities and motivating them to study biomaterial science can also have a significant impact on future practical outcomes in the medical field originating from V4 countries. Eventually, project promotion may also help with the decreasing trend in students choosing natural sciences as their major in V4 countries.

FAQ

The project starts on May, 20th 2023 and ends at September 30th, 2024.

You can find the list of our planned events here.

Four teams from Slovakia (Košice), Czechia (Zlín), Hungary (Budapest) and Poland (Lublin) are involved. You can find more about the project partners here.

Creation of a network of biomaterial scientists based in V4 countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland) in the process of a new biodegradable metallic scaffold development.

Progress and the newest info about the project results and implementation will be available at our social media sites soon. Scientific results will be published in open-access journals for another researchers, experts, and students in the field.

Feel free to contact us via the email – details here.