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

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

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

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

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

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

Leaders

Leader: Nicholas Forsyth
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Co-Leader: Manuela Gomes
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences/Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal