Working Groups
Working Group 1
Cellular and molecular biology of tendon development, disease and regeneration mechanisms
Objectives
The main goals of WG1 are: i) to gain fundamental knowledge in tendon physiology and respective mechanisms of disease and regeneration; and ii) to promote fundamental knowledge-sharing with other WGs.
Tasks
- Aggregate and organize the existing scattered basic knowledge on tendon physiology and disease mechanisms. This specific task will be opened to include the maximum possible of top researchers from NNCs and IPCs in order to ensure more up-to-date information of the field.
- Research on profiling the cellular and molecular signature of human tendon niche throughout their development stages, and under healthy and disease conditions. Promote the creation and sharing of research results using accessible databases (e.g. omics data). Establishment of scientific consensus on tendon cell phenotypes.
- Identification of the matching and nonmatching mechanisms exiting between human tendon and other animal species (not only used in pre-clinical research pipelines, but also veterinarian patients of interest).
Leaders
Leader: Andreas Traweger
Paracelsus Medical University, Austria
Co-Leader: Britt Wildemann
Jena University Hospital, Germany
Working Group 2
Mechanosignaling and biophysical characteristics of tendon tissues
Objectives
The main objectives of WG2 are to promote research on the identification of adequate mechanical stimulation systems and regimes as well as culture conditions mimicking the biophysical characteristics of tendon tissues.
Tasks
- Generating a map of the current systems/devices used for the mechanical stimulation of tendon cells in vitro and in vivo.
- Comparison of the biological effects and efficacy of the different exiting systems for cell/tissue mechanical stimulation. Identification of differences and similarities among different tendons.
- Establishment of specific guidelines for relevant stimulatory regimes (cellular effects of tension, shear, cyclic load...), informed by the knowledge of tendon biomechanics to promote standardization of research methods.
- Positioning tendon cells mechanosignalling as key mechanisms of tendon physiology and pathophysiology. Foster research having these mechanisms as therapeutic targets.
Leaders
Leader: Jess Snedeker
University of Zurich, Switzerland
Co-Leader: Evi Wezenbeek
Ghent University, Belgium
Working Group 3
Biomaterials, cells and molecular therapeutics for advanced tendon therapies
Objectives
The main goals of WG3 will be the evaluation of bioengineered tendon systems and to identify ideal fabrication methods and specifications meeting the needs of each tendon. The second main focus of this WG will be the evaluation of in vitro maturation systems (bioreactors) and to identify the best method for each bioengineered tendon.
Tasks
- Mapping the current status of scaffolds biomaterials and fabrication methods applied for tendon tissue engineering, including systems targeting regeneration of tendon tissue interfaces (bone and muscle).
- Mapping the current status of cell sources applied on tendon tissue engineering, including its tissue interfaces.
- Mapping the different molecular therapeutics and delivery strategies for advanced tendon therapies.
- Mapping the use of relevant gene editing / therapies strategies, tools and delivery methods targeting tendon tissues.
- Evaluation of existing bioreactors and culture condition applied on in vitro maturation of bioengineered tendons and tendon interfaces.
- Comparison of efficacy and specificity data for different systems and for each targeted tendon. Harmonization of minimal parameters and specifications required for assessment of bioengineered tendon performance. Identification and elaboration of recommendation guidelines for the fabrication and in vitro culturing of bioengineered tendons.
Leaders
Leader: Dimitrios Zevgolis
University College Dublin, Ireland
Co-Leader: Elizabeth Balmayor
Universitätsklinikum Aachen AöR, Germany
Working Group 4
Models of tendon health and disease
Objectives
The main goals of WG4 will be i) to foster the collaboration and knowledge exchange between researchers in the field to define standards in in vivo models, and ii) offer new opportunities to promote the design and development of new in vitro models of tendon health and disease to test innovative therapies for tendon diseases.
Tasks
- Identification of the main limitations associated with the extrapolation of data derived from animal models used to recapitulate the physiology and pathophysiology mechanisms of tendinopathy.
- Mapping and identification of most adequate animal models for pre-clinical tendon research. Establishment of guidelines for different model development and experimentation, including identification of scenarios of meaningful human representability.
- Aggregate the existing information on 3D microphysiological systems being currently under development. Identify trends and boost team interactions to define design rules. Advocate for positioning and clarifying the potential of 3D microphysiological systems as in vitro alternatives to reduce preclinical in vivo animal experimentation.
- Promote the interaction between the scientific community working on the fields of animal and bioengineered modelling. Identify the gaps of knowledge and complementary opportunities to increase the biological relevance of 3D microphysiological systems.
- Identify the minimal design requirements for humanized 3D systems of the tendon stroma (the intrinsic compartment), as well as complex organotypic systems that also include its extrinsic compartment (e.g. vascular, immune systems) or tissue interfaces (bone, muscle).
Leaders
Leader: Denitsa Docheva
University of Wuerzburg, Germany
Co-Leader: Victoria Stepan Sarafian-Ozanian
Medical University-Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Working Group 5
Clinical translation of advanced therapies for tendon diseases
Objectives
The main objective of the WG5 is to shift the focus of researchers towards considering translational feasibility earlier in the study planning process by gaining knowledge from patient’s needs, healthcare professionals, biotech and MedTech companies, and regulatory experts. The second objective of this WG is to engage patients and healthcare professional & develop an information programme on tendinopathies.
Tasks
- Discussion of the pathway for clinical translation of advanced therapies for tendon diseases, including an analysis of regulatory requirements for their commercialization in collaboration with communication with European agencies.
- Formulation of guidelines for cost reduction, yield optimization and reproducibility of the relevant advanced regenerative therapies for tendon in collaboration with biotech and MedTech companies.
- Roadmap and consensus protocols for GMP production of different advanced regenerative therapies for tendon.
- Engage patients and healthcare professionals by giving them a space in TENET activities.
- Organize a survey to assess patients and general population level of understanding of tendinopathies to develop an information programme on tendinopathies. Analyse the epidemiology of tendinopathies in different regions.
Leaders
Leader: Martijn van Griensven
Maastricht University, Netherlands
Co-Leader: Xiang Li
ZuriMED Technologies AG, Switzerland
Working Group 6
Knowledge sharing and training & communication, dissemination and exploitation
Objectives
This WG aims to implement activities focused on knowledge sharing between partners and training activities as well as defining and implementing a final plan for communication, dissemination and exploitation activities.
Tasks
- Create website and a database and forum in TENET website for knowledge sharing.
- Promote and coordinate calls for STSMs.
- Organize training activities, including workshops and training schools.
- Develop and implement the final plan for communication, dissemination and exploitation.
- Organize additional communication activities (flyers, EU communication tools, open days).
- Networking & Participation in third-party conferences and organization of specific sessions/satellite events.
Leaders
Leader: Nicholas Forsyth
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Co-Leader: Ana Gonçalves
University of Minho, Portugal