About Achilles

Overview

Tendon injuries account for a considerable share of musculoskeletal pathologies as it is estimated that over 30 million human tendon-related procedures are taking place annually worldwide. Up to now, the most used tendon therapeutic strategies are based on application of autografts and allografts, presenting several disadvantages as they require a second surgical procedure that can lead to infection and chronic pain in the harvest site, as well as donor site morbidity. These strategies have poor clinical outcomes, given that tendon tissue does not fully recover its functionality, leading to high re-injury rates, pain and reduced quality of life. Tissue engineering strategies, stem cell based therapies, nanomedicine and molecular based therapies are being increasingly studied in order to create alternative, successful and cost effective treatments for these disorders.

The Achilles project is led by 3Bs Research Group from University of Minho (UMinho). UMinho partners with internationally leading research institutions: the Experimental Trauma Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery from University Hospital Regensburg in Germany (UHREG), the Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL) from National University of Ireland Galway in Ireland (NUI GALWAY ), the Department of Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Orthopaedic Hospital König- Ludwig-Haus, University of Würzburg (JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAT WURZBURG) (JMU), and the University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin (UCD). In addition, in the scope of this project, UMinho will collaborate with the Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center from Mayo Clinic in the USA (MAYO).

Concept

In Greek mythology, Achilles was a hero, leader of the fierce Myrmidons and a main character of the Trojan war. After birth, he was made immortal by his mother, yet, as legend tells, his heel remained mortal flesh, latter leading to Achilles’ downfall. The Achilles project reflects the weaknesses in specific areas of expertise that the Project coordinator (UMinho) envisions to overcome through the twinning process in order to advance the field of tissue engineering to develop regenerative medicine therapies for tendon regeneration.

The main goal of Achilles is to significantly strengthen the science and technology capacity of UMinho in biophysics, cell/molecular biology and genetics/gene therapy in order to achieve global scientific excellence and competitiveness for the translation of advanced therapies/ tendon tissue engineering strategies to treat tendon injuries/diseases. At the same time, Achilles also aims at positioning the research profile of UMinho and its staff in an outstanding international research level. Achilles will focus in defined areas in which UMinho shows a less scientific knowledge and are well-complemented by UHREG/NUIG.

Objectives and Impact

The project objectives are:

To significantly increase the scientific excellence in tendon tissue engineering and reinforce human resources profile of UMinho;
To significantly increase the international visibility of UMinho and unleash its networking gaps with international outstanding R&D organisations;
To create strong links between UMinho-UHREG-NUIG allowing a constant and sustained knowledge sharing and research collaboration network which will continue sustainably in the long-term;
To significantly increase the capacity of UMinho to translate excellent scientific production into new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of tendon disorders and in providing high-quality services and consulting, improved capability to compete for funding as well as generating useful intellectual property that can help to support in the long-term the sustainability of the organization.

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board is coordinated by Prof. Christopher H. Evans from the Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, USA. Mayo Clinic is a non-profit organization committed to clinical practice, education and research, which has been very active in the field of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine in the past years. The Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center has a strong background in the complete pipeline from basic science to clinical trials, including in the area of musculoskeletal and regenerative rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center is directed by Prof. Evans and is divided into five research focus areas, including musculoskeletal rehabilitation and regenerative rehabilitation. Prof. Evans works to advance the science of rehabilitation; he has a strong background in cell and molecular biology, and gene therapy is his major technology platform. Prof. Evans’ research focuses mainly on gene therapy for arthritis and tissue regeneration, among other topics.

Other members of the Advisory Board include:

Prof. Alicia El Haj, University of Birmingham, UK: expertise in stem cell therapy for orthopaedic applications, bioreactors and in vitro conditioning for tissue growth, and magnetic nanoparticle technologies for targeted signalling pathways in regenerative medicine.
Prof. Jess G. Snedeker, University of Zurich, Switzerland: expertise in tendon extracellular matrix structure-function, collagen matrix biology, collagen cross-linking in development and disease, and skeletal progenitor cell signaling driven by biomaterial and tissue micro-mechanics.
Prof. Hazel Screen, Queen Mary, University of London, UK: expert in tendon mechanics and multi-scale structure-function behaviour of soft tissues, looking to unravel healthy tissue mechanics and the mechanobiology of injury.

News

Newsletters

Newsletter April 2021

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Newsletter February 2020

read

Newsletter June 2022

read

Publications

Ribeiro S, Novacek V, Fernandes EM, Gomes ME, Reis RL, Bayon Y, Zeugolis DI. Design and characterization of synthetic biodegradable films for musculoskeletal tissue engineering. In Orthopaedic Proceedings (2018) 100, Supp 15, 26-26. Open
Tsiapalis D, Ribeiro S, De Pieri A, Sallent I, Guillaumin S, Gaspar D, Korntner, S, Bayon Y, Gomes ME, Reis RL, Zeugolis DI. Designing microenvironments for optimal outcomes in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: From biopolymers to culturing conditions. In: Encyclopedia of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Reis RL, Gomes ME (editors). Academic Press (2019), 119-130. Open
Matos AM, Gonçalves AI, El Haj AJ, Gomes ME. Magnetic biomaterials and nano-instructive tools as mediators of tendon mechanotransduction. Nanoscale Advances (2019), DOI: 10.1039/C9NA00615J Open
Gonçalves AI, Berdecka D, Rodrigues MT, Eren AD, de Boer J, Reis RL, Gomes ME. Evaluation of tenogenic differentiation potential of selected subpopulations of human adipose‐derived stem cells. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (2019), 13, 2204-2217. Open
Costa-Almeida R, Calejo I, Gomes ME, Mesenchymal Stem Cells Empowering Tendon Regenerative Therapies, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2019), 20, 3002. Open
Echave MC, Domingues RMA, Gomez-Florit M, Pedraz JL, Reis RL, Orive G, Gomes ME. Biphasic Hydrogels Integrating Mineralized and Anisotropic Features for Interfacial Tissue Engineering. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2019), 11, 47771-47784. Open
Yin H, Strunz F, Yan Z, Lu J, Brochhausen C, Kiderlen S, Clausen-Schaumann H, Wang X, Gomes ME, Alt V, Docheva D. BThree-dimensional self-assembling nanofiber matrix rejuvenates aged/degenerative human tendon stem/progenitor cells. Biomaterials (2020), 236, 119802. Open
Teixeira SP, Domingues RMA, Shevchuk M, Gomes ME, Peppas NA, Reis RL. Biomaterials for Sequestration of Growth Factors and Modulation of Cell Behavior. Advanced Functional Materials (2020), 1909011. Open

Our Events

Final Achilles Conference

Tendon Regeneration: a throwback to the lessons learned and prospects to the future
25-27 May 2022

Second Summer School

Advances in orthopaedic tissue engineering
6 - 7 April 2022 | University College Dublin | Hybrid event

First Summer School

High-throughput screening technologies
23 - 25 March 2022 | University of Würzburg| Hybrid event

Third Achilles Workshop

Gene & cell therapy and clinical applications
25 | 27 October 2021 (physical and virtual)

Second Achilles Conference

Tendon biophysical environment
04 | 05 November 2019

First Achilles Conference

Molecular and biological mechanisms of tendon homeostasis and repair
08 | 10 July 2019

About Achilles

Overview

Concept

Objectives and Impact

The project objectives are:

Advisory Board

News

Newsletters

Publications

Our Events

Consortium

3B’s Research Group, University of Minho
UMINHO, Portugal

Experimental Trauma Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery, University Regensburg Medical Centre
UHREG, Germany

Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory, National University of Ireland Galway
NUIG, Ireland

University of Würzburg, JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAT WURZBURG
JMU, Germany

University College Dublin, National University of Ireland
UCD, Dublin, Ireland

Downloads

CONTACTS

About Achilles

Overview

Concept

Objectives and Impact

The project objectives are:

Advisory Board

News

News

Press release/Newsletter from UHREG https://www.ukr.de/service/aktuelles/05602.php

Article in the Journal OU Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (Germany Society of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41785-019-0839-7

Program “Our Champions” featured on Sic Notícias TV channelhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_jX8RT6LWc&feature=youtu.be

Newsletters

Publications

Our Events

Consortium

3B’s Research Group, University of Minho UMINHO, Portugal

Experimental Trauma Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery, University Regensburg Medical Centre UHREG, Germany

Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory, National University of Ireland Galway NUIG, Ireland

University of Würzburg, JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAT WURZBURG JMU, Germany

University College Dublin, National University of Ireland UCD, Dublin, Ireland

Downloads

CONTACTS

Follow Us

Press release/Newsletter from UHREG
https://www.ukr.de/service/aktuelles/05602.php

Article in the Journal OU Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (Germany Society of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery)
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41785-019-0839-7

Program “Our Champions” featured on Sic Notícias TV channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_jX8RT6LWc&feature=youtu.be

3B’s Research Group, University of Minho
UMINHO, Portugal

Experimental Trauma Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery, University Regensburg Medical Centre
UHREG, Germany

Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory, National University of Ireland Galway
NUIG, Ireland

University of Würzburg, JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAT WURZBURG
JMU, Germany

University College Dublin, National University of Ireland
UCD, Dublin, Ireland