TERMIS 2021 – VJRegenMed

Exploring stem cell-based therapies in osteoarthritis

Simon Ng — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 11:14:51 +0000

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic illness currently with no cure, and patients with OA often have comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Jiao Jiao Li, PhD, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia, provides an overview of the influence on stem cells in osteoarthritis and how stem cell-based therapies have not been effective in OA. Research investigating the interactions between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and arthritic cells revealed that MSCs had a short-term effect on arthritic cells, but arthritic cells induced inflammatory markers in MSCs and prevented them from differentiating into cartilage tissue. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

Challenges in manufacturing advanced therapies for researchers

Simon Ng — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 11:14:50 +0000

Kurt Gielen, MedAce, Maastricht, The Netherlands, discusses issues researchers and academics may face when commercializing their therapies for clinical use. Researchers may not have the relevant experience in manufacturing products, and due to the novel nature of the treatments, regulatory authorities may have difficulties in assessing them based on existing guidelines. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

Ensuring successful commercialization of advanced therapies

Simon Ng — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 11:14:48 +0000

Kurt Gielen, MedAce, Maastricht, The Netherlands, comments on important factors researchers and academics must consider when attempting to commercialize their product for clinical use. He highlights the need to focus on developing the final product, as opposed to constantly making changes. The financial aspects of developing the product must also be considered, as long term costs such as manufacturing costs will overshadow the viability of the product regardless of scientific innovations. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

Progress in creating degradable materials for medical devices

Simon Ng — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 17:55:02 +0000

Aylvin Dias, PhD, DSM, Geleen, The Netherlands, comments on the development of degradable materials in the field of regenerative medicine, which can be applied as a drug delivery device in patients, and will not interfere with the healing response. Dr Dias additionally highlights steps that need to be taken for successful clinical adoption of degradable materials, including initially focusing on one indication, and on the pharmacokinetics of the final products. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

Nerve regeneration with polyhydroxyalkanoate-based conduits

Simon Ng — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 17:55:00 +0000

Ipsita Roy, PhD, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, provides an overview of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based nerve guidance conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration. Changes in the PHA formulation resulted in the creation of a stiff, but elastic tubular structure and in vivo studies demonstrated that the scaffold regenerated damaged nerves after a 10 week period as effectively as autologously transplanted nerves. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

The advantages of polyhydroxyalkanoate-based scaffolds

Simon Ng — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 17:54:59 +0000

Ipsita Roy, PhD, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, comments on the benefits of using polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) over alternative materials as scaffolds in regenerative medicine. Compared to other biocompatible polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), PHA is a sustainable polymer and produces natural metabolites when it degrades, unlike PLLA which degrades to lactic acid. PHA is additionally more stable than hydrogels such as alginate, and can be manipulated to have different properties, allowing it to have multiple functions. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

Collagen grafts for tympanic membrane regeneration

Simon Ng — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 13:01:34 +0000

Juan Pablo Aguilar Alemán, PhD, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, provides an overview of repairing damaged eardrums with allogeneic collagen grafts. Type I collagen derived from various sources including tendons can provide a tissue-engineered solution for patients with holes in their eardrums, as tendons have properties suited to the environment around the inner ear. Dr Aguilar Alemán additionally highlights the non-invasive nature of the procedure, as well as other advantages. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

Applications of collagen-based therapies in ruptured eardrums

Simon Ng — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 13:01:34 +0000

Juan Pablo Aguilar Alemán, PhD, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, discusses the therapeutic potential of tissue engineered collagen grafts. In patients who have been infected with the flu, the eardrum can rupture and whilst the tympanic membrane heals itself in most cases, hearing loss can occur in a small proportion of patients. Collagen grafts derived from tendons can offer a convenient and affordable solution for patients who have ruptured eardrums. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

The role of 4D printing in regenerative medicine

Simon Ng — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 13:01:32 +0000

Giovanni Vozzi, PhD, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, discusses the advantages of 4D over 3D printing. Whilst 3D printing can create static scaffolds, the resulting structures may not capture the complexity of tissues in their physiological conditions, especially when the scaffolds are static as opposed to tissues react to various stimuli. 4D printing adds the dimension of time, where the product can change properties in response to external stimuli. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

EV-based therapies for myocardial infarction

Simon Ng — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 13:01:32 +0000

Marta Monguió-Tortajada, PhD, Health Science Research Institute Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain, comments on utilizing extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells to regenerate cardiac tissue after a myocardial infarction. EVs that were found to promote angiogenesis and reduce inflammation were identified and with a tissue-engineered scaffold, were delivered to scar tissue. After a period of 30 days, fibrosis was reduced and increased cardiac function was observed. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).