Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration

ESR project

3.2

Title of project

Convergence of biofabrication technologies for musculoskeletal regenerative medicine

We offered

A 4-year PhD student position in the interdisciplinary area of regenerative orthopaedics, biomaterials, and biofabrication biomaterials using 3D-(bio)printing technologies and the use of smart biomaterials. This position is a joint position hosted by the Department of Orthopaedics at the UMC Utrecht in collaboration with a number of European academic and commercial partners.

Department

The Department of Orthopaedics at the UMC Utrecht is a global leader in the development of novel regenerative technologies, such as 3D (bio)printing, biofabrication and the application of biomaterials and controlled release systems. Within this theme, we focus on several areas of the musculoskeletal system including regeneration of cartilaginous tissues and joint and tissue homeostasis. The department of Orthopaedics initiated the Utrecht Biofabrication Facility, a leading European knowledge center that aims at expediting emerging biofabrication technologies in areas of regenerative medicine, 3D in vitro cell culture models and therapeutic treatments.

Description

Although the fabrication of biomimetic structures holds much promise for the regeneration of tissues, including those of the musculoskeletal system that are lost or damaged due to injury or disease, we are still challenged by the generation of complex, multicellular tissue structures on demand. This illustrates the need to improve our ability to design and incorporate different materials (and cell types) at different length scales in a single living construct. This often involves multi-step fabrication procedures, limiting the freedom of design of the regenerative constructs.

You perform research in the area of biofabrication and skeletal regeneration aiming at the convergence fabrication technologies for personalized 3D-printed implants for joint regeneration. As a PhD student, you will work at the Utrecht Regenerative Medicine Center in a multidisciplinary team focusing on integrating knowledge of biofabrication techniques and regenerative medicine. You are responsible for integration of various biofabrication technologies, including melt electrospinning writing and robotic dispensing to guide tissue regeneration.   

Contact person & more information

Prof. Jos Malda, UMC Utrecht
j.malda@umcutrecht.nl

RESCUE

This project is part of RESCUE, a multidisciplinary, intersectoral and interdisciplinary PhD training programme in Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells organised by UMC Utrecht (coordinator) and Utrecht University. RESCUE is partly funded by the European Commission under Horizon 2020's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND scheme. There are specific requirements with regards to English language and mobility for candidates who would like to take part in this programme. More information