Scientific Symposia

Chairs:

Jin Woo Lee, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Ji-Hoon Bae, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Since 1995, the Korean Orthopaedic Research Society (KORS) has promoted and advanced basic research related to the musculoskeletal system. Current research is focused on various areas including stem cell research, musculoskeletal disease and treatment, biomaterials and tissue engineering, fracture healing and biology for bone/cartilage/tendon. In this symposium, we will firstly discuss the results of study on enhancing osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells as a keynote lecture. Second, we will focus on sclerostin-mediated impaired osteogenesis by fibroblast-like synoviocytes in the particle-induced osteolysis model. Third, we will discuss possible roles of antioxidants in rotator cuff tendinopathy. Lastly, we will then discuss role of polaprezinc in fracture healing by differentiations of osteoblast and osteoclast.

Keynote Speaker:

Gun-Il Im, Dongguk University, Korea

Speakers:

Sang-Soo Lee, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea

Hyung Bin Park, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Korea

Sang-Gyun Kim, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

Kwang Hwan Park, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Chairs:

Audenaert Emmanuel, University of Ghent

Jonas Grammens, University of Antwerp

Kate Duquesne, University of Ghent

The mini symposium entitled “Shape modeling for orthopaedic clinical research” aims to present recent developments in the field of computational anatomy, specifically statistical shape and kinematics modeling, and how these techniques can be applied in clinical practice, specifically for diagnosing and assessing risk for hip, knee, and ankle joint diseases. These techniques, which use advanced 3D imaging and artificial intelligence, can provide a deeper understanding of population-level anatomy by describing morphological variation in a unique way and uncovering new patterns of diagnostic and prognostic value. Contributions to the symposium will focus on innovative methods, validation, and applications of statistical shape analysis in solving clinical problems.

Speakers:

Jonas Grammens, University of Antwerp, Vision Lab

Audenaert Emmanuel, University of Ghent, Dept Orthopedics

Kate Duquesne, University of Ghent, BioMics, Biomechancis, Insilico medicine, and Computational studies

Aline Van Oevelen, University of Antwerp, Opt3Mech

Matthias Peiffer, Foot and Ankle Research Innovation and Research Laboratory (FARIL), Boston, USA

Ide Van den Borre, University of Ghent, Group for Artificial Intelligence and Sparse Modeling

Chairs:
Jérome Guicheux, Nantes Université
Manuela Gomes, 3B’s Research Group, University of Minho

Speakers:
Marianna Tryfonidou, Utrecht University
Ivan Martin, University of Basel, Switzerland
Elizabeth Rosado Balmayor, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Chairs: 

Holger Jahr, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Fatma Nur Depboylu, Hacettepe University, Turkey

Treating large bone defects is still a clinical challenge without perfect solution, mainly due to the unavailability of suitable bone implants. Additively manufactured (AM) porous metals provide unparalleled opportunities to realize the challenging requirements for bone-mimetic implants. This session will give you the latest insights on instruments and materials currently being used for 3D printed customized medical devices for total knee arthroplasties from an industrial point of view. The symposium will cover traditional metallic implant materials, with new coatings, and yet experimental absorbable metal implants. In particular, general corrosion behavior of absorbable metals and the impact of the test environment on their corrosion behavior will be addressed. We will further discuss the impact of topological design of future 3D printed metallic implants and associated technological challenges thereof. Direct printing of porous absorbable metal implants for the treatment of large bone defects will be presented as a potential future solution to provide initial mechanical support in load-bearing anatomical regions, facilitating osseointegration, and ultimately eliminating the risk of implant-associated osteitis after their job is done.

Keynote Speaker:

Thomas M Grupp, Musculoskeletal University Center Munich (MUM), Germany

Speakers:

Berna Richter, Aesculap AG Research & Development, Tuttlingen, Germany

Fatma Nur Depboylu, Hacettepe University, Turkey

Holger Jahr, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Gabriela Graziani, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute – NaBi; Bologna, Italy

Chairs:

Catherine Le Visage, INSERM, France

The Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM) community has long been interested in orthopedics, in which bones, joints, tendons, and other skeletal tissues are challenging to treat. The ability to design or generate adequate biomaterials that can support and guide cells during tissue healing and remodeling processes is crucial to the success of regenerative medicine approaches. The keynote lecture and invited speakers will highlight some of the most recent investigations into these biomaterials’ mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and bioactivity, focusing on bone and tendon healing performance. The ability of composite biomaterials, hydrogels, and 3D-printed scaffolds to direct cell fate and promote tissue regeneration will also be discussed.

Keynote Speaker:

Maria Chatzinikolaidou, University of Crete, Greece

Speakers:

Baptiste Charbonnier, University of Nantes, France

Ana I. Gonçalves, 3B’s Research Group, University of Minho

Sebastien J P Callens, Imperial College London

Chairs:

Manuel Gomez-Florit, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands

Andreas Traweger, Paracelsus Medical University

The orthopaedic field has recently seen a surge of interest in research regarding extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are small vesicles released from cells that have the potential to mediate intercellular communication, influence cellular behavior, and deliver proteins and genetic material to their target cells. This novel research area has the potential to revolutionize orthopaedic care and provide novel strategies to treat a variety of musculoskeletal diseases. This symposium will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research in the field of EVs in orthopaedics. Topics will include the biology and biochemistry of EVs, their potential use in diagnostics and therapeutic delivery, and their potential use in regenerative medicine. We will also consider the translational implications of using EVs in orthopaedic care. The symposium will feature presentations from leading experts in the field, with a particular focus on the potential use of EVs as therapeutics for different musculoskeletal tissues. Presentations will address the latest breakthroughs in EV-related research and their implications for the field of orthopaedics. The symposia will also provide an opportunity for networking among the participants and for the exchange of ideas and information.

Keynote Speaker:

Mario Gimona, Paracelsus Medical University

Speakers:

Manuel Gomez-Florit, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands

Marian Forteza-Genestra

Chairs:

Kamal Mustafa, University of Bergen, Norway

Mohammed A. Yassin, University of Bergen, Norway

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are used to enhance healing and regeneration after disease or injury, thereby overcoming the limited regenerative capacity of native tissues. MSC contribute to tissue repair and regeneration either via direct differentiation into specific cell types or via paracrine signaling by secretion of trophic factors. MSC have the additional benefit that avoid recognition by the host immune system, due to the low expression of major histocompatibility complexes I and II, making use of autologous as well as allogeneic MSC for therapeutic applications. Although cell-based tissue engineering strategies have demonstrated promising potential for alveolar bone regeneration in preliminary studies, reconstruction of larger bone deficiencies remains a clinical challenge. Major contributing factors to this “gap” in translation are considered, a) few controlled clinical trials, b) the lack of adequate and timely vascularization of implanted constructs, c) the use of xenogeneic supplements for ex vivo amplification of cells, potentially compromise their regenerative efficacy and introduce the risk for xenogeneic disease transmission, and d) the two-dimensional (2-D) culture protocols of cells in monolayers, that not adequately reflect the natural 3-D in vivo environment.

This symposium will discuss the potential of a) In patients, reconstruction of alveolar bone by MSC and biomaterials, b) extracellular vesicles: more closely reflect the natural in vivo microenvironment, as strategies for clinical scale tissue engineering, c) the importance to understand the source of mesenchymal stem cells for bone regenerative applications,  d) the effect of micro-pores in 3D-printing scaffolds on MSC, and e) Triazine-Trione based-composite as a novel biomaterials.

Keynote Speaker:

Cecilie Gjerde, University of Bergen, Norway

Speakers:

Niyaz Al-Sharabi, University of Bergen, Norway

Samih Mohamed-Ahmed, University of Bergen, Norway

Mehmet Serhat Aydin, University of Bergen, Norway

Åshild Johansen, University of Bergen, Norway

Chairs:

Gabriela Graziani, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy

Julietta V. Rau, Italian National Research Council, Institute of the Structure of Matter, Rome, Italy

Nanostructured coatings offer new perspectives for orthopedic implants, to address several unmet needs. Nanostructured coatings, indeed, permit to functionalize the biointerface of biomedical devices, by conferring them additional properties. At the same time, they exhibit superior properties compared to traditional (micrometric) films, such as tailored thickness and surface morphology, finely tuned ion release, improved adhesion to the substrate and suitable surface texture, favoring cells adhesion, proliferation and differentiation.

In particular, metal-based implant devices, in combination with bioactive ceramics, can address such an important issue as infection, fighting against the development of resistant bacterial strains and promoting osseointegration, at one same time. More recently, anti-tumor efficacy of some metal-doped calcium phosphates has also been shown.

By exploiting the improved physical, chemical and biological properties, that some established materials (i.e. calcium phosphates, silver etc.) have at the nano-scale, the prevention and treatment of diseases and surgical conditions can be improved, as well as the durability and success rate of bone implants.

In this symposium, we will discuss the clinical needs and the unmet challenges that materials shall face, the applications that can be addressed, and the new findings in the fields. To provide a complete overview of the topic, we will merge clinical and materials science perspectives, and we will also address industrial applicability and requirements for the scale up.

Keynote Speaker:

Gianluca Vadalà, Campus Biomedico University, Rome, Italy

Speakers:

Julian Vasile Antoniac, University Politechnica of Bucharest, Romania

Julietta V. Rau, Italian National Research Council, Institute of the Structure of Matter, Rome, Italy

Gabriela Graziani, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy

Donato Monopoli from Osteobionix and ITC Canary-Islands Institute of Technology

Chairs:

Feng-Sheng Wang, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Holger Jahr, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Articular cartilage is a relatively hypoxic and uniquely loadbearing tissue with a specialized extracellular matrix. Several biomechanical and physicochemical stimuli are known to influence chondrocyte metabolism. Once damaged, however, articular cartilage possesses only a limited regenerative capacity. This symposium combines pre-clinical and clinical aspects related to cartilage degeneration and regeneration. Strategies to preserve a proper chondrocyte phenotype during in vitro manipulation for cell-based cartilage regeneration and the impact of an adequate microenvironment will be discussed. Furthermore, the impact of biophysical and nutritional factors in osteoarthritis will be addressed. Specifically, novel insights into the role of hormones, like irisin, and the role of the epigenetic landscape based on histone modifiers will be elucidated. Last not least, our current understanding of the gut- joint axis will be addressed and the role of our microbiome, probiotics or metabolites, in skeletal homeostasis but also their potential to alter the course of osteoarthritis are discussed.

Keynote Speaker:

Yves Henrotin, University of Liège Motricity Sciences Liège, Belgium

Speakers:

Holger Jahr, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Wei-Shiung Lian, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Yu-Shan Chen, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Feng-Sheng Wang,  Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Chairs:

Elizabeth R. Balmayor, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany

Federica Francesca Masieri, University of Suffolk, UK

Speaker:

José Micard Teixeira, Author, Mentor & Coach

Title of the talk: There is no such thing as luck. There are only choices.

José Micard Teixeira was born in Aveiro – Portugal, in 1961. He graduated in International Relations from the University of Minho – Braga and was a trainee at the Economic and Social Committee of the European Communities. He then joined SONAE (one of the biggest Portuguese multinationals) where he held general management positions in several companies. At the age of 40, he decides to change his life and direction and chooses to help people find their way in life. He did various training courses in personal development and ended up being internationally certified as a Life Coach by the ICC-UK, International Coaching Community. Currently, he gives Life Coaching consultations and lectures on a wide variety of topics of the human condition. He has written seven books of motivational texts and is preparing the launch of his new book for later this year. He is an advocate of freedom and truth as a means for each person to live their own life.

Chairs:

Andreas Traweger, Paracelsus Medical University; Institute of Tendon and Bone Regeneration

Stephanie Dakin, University of Oxford

Knowledge of how the joint functions as an integrated unit in health and disease requires an understanding of the stromal cells populating the joint mesenchyme, including fibroblasts, tissue- resident macrophages and endothelial cells. Knowledge of the physiological and pathological mechanisms that involve joint mesenchymal stromal cells and the coordinated interplay between tissue resident cells and the ECM has begun to cast new light on why tissue inflammation persists. Cells of mesenchymal origin sustain inflammation in the synovial membrane and tendons by various mechanisms, and the important contribution of newly discovered fibroblast subtypes and their associated crosstalk with endothelial cells, tissue-resident macrophages, leukocytes, and the interaction with the ECM is beginning to emerge. Understanding of these mechanisms should help to shape the future therapeutic landscape for diseases affecting tendons and ligaments, emphasising the requirement for new strategies to address the pathogenic stroma and associated cellular and cell matrix crosstalk.

This session focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular basis underpinning resolution of inflammatory fibrotic joint disease affecting the shoulder joint and presents recent advances in tendon biology providing insights into the mechanisms underlying tendinopathic disease progression.

Keynote Speaker:

Stephanie Dakin, University of Oxford

Speakers:

Greta Moschini, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich; Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich

Jessica Ackerman, University of Oxford

Renate Gehwolf, Paracelsus Medical University

Peter Johnson, University of Oxford

Chairs:

Makarand Risburd, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA

Holger Jahr, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Degeneration of the intervertebral disk (IVD), and subsequent low back pain, is an almost inevitable cause of disability in our increasingly elderly population. Underlaying biological mechanisms of IVD degeneration are complex and current therapeutic strategies often symptomatic. In contrast, animal models provide valuable insights into the intrinsic regeneration potential of the IVD and help elucidating major molecular mechanisms triggering, or contributing to, IVD degeneration. This symposium will start recapitulating anatomical features and the special composition and the cellular microenvironment of the IVD prior to providing latest insights from animal models. The translational clinical potential of stem cell therapies will be discussed and the benefits of modern diagnostics and artificial intelligence (AI) elaborated. Finally, selected promising novel conceptional regenerative approaches will be proposed.

Keynote Speaker:

Makarand Risbud, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA

Speakers:

Holger Jahr, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Luca Ambrosio, Università Campus Bio- Medico di Roma, Italy

Gianluca Vadalá, Università Campus Bio- Medico di Roma, Italy

Chairs:

Elizabeth R. Balmayor, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany

Martijn van Griensven, MERLN-Institute for Technology- Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University. The Netherlands

Bone tissue is a specialized, highly complex connective tissue composed of organic and inorganic parts. The organic fraction includes specialized bone cells such as osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes. It has been recently suggested that there is a complex communication between bone cells and other organs, indicating the dynamic nature of bone tissue. This organ crosstalk plays an important role during bone repair. For example, it is well-acknowledged that bone healing is controlled by the immune system. Upon bone trauma, immune cells (i.e., platelets, neutrophils, and macrophages) are recruited to the site of injury. These cells secrete multiple factors; inflammatory and others, that are crucial for the recruitment and activation of other cells. These other cells include mesenchymal progenitor cells, which aid to resolve the inflammation at the site and will undergo chondrogenic differentiation initiating the callus formation phase. With this, a new extracellular matrix is deposited that will evolve into a neo, fully functional bone tissue. Immune cells also secrete angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF promotes vessel invasion and cell recruitment. This process is crucial in the replacement of the soft, cartilaginous callus by a bony, mineralized callus. In addition, new blood vessels bring oxygen and nutrients to the regenerating callus and serve as a route for inflammatory, cartilage, and bone precursor cells to reach the injury site. Besides being vascularized, bone is also a highly innervated tissue. Different types of nerves have been recently identified in the bone. In particular, the function of peripheral nerves in bone healing is under much investigation. It has been elucidated that upon bone trauma, nerve activation and regeneration simultaneously occur. For this, important neuropeptides (e.g., NGF, BDNF, CGRP, SP, NPY, and Sema3A) are upregulated that contribute to bone regeneration. These neuropeptides are differentially distributed during all phases of bone healing with blood vessel and nerve regeneration. In addition, relevant cells in bone healing, such as osteoblasts, osteoclasts, macrophages, mesenchymal progenitor cells, and chondrocytes are well known targets of specific neuropeptides during bone regeneration. Despite its relevance, the interaction of bone with other organ systems is often disregarded while developing strategies for bone repair. With this symposium, we look forward to an outstanding discussion on the participation of the immune system, blood vessels and nerves in bone healing. Cell- and organ crosstalk, its relevance and roles for bone healing will be discussed. The symposium will include four outstanding speakers. An introductory talk will be firstly given to touch upon all the relevant organ systems for bone development and healing. Thereafter, the symposium will continue with specialized speakers for all three organ systems proposed here.

Keynote Speaker:

Martijn van Griensven, Maastricht University, The Netherlands

Speakers:

Anita Ignatius, University of Ulm, Germany

Andrea Banfi, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Aaron Watkins James, Johns Hopkins University, USA

Chairs:

Claudio Belvedere, Instituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

Arne Burssens, University Hospital of Ghent, Belgium

Osteotomies in the musculoskeletal system are joint preserving procedures to correct the alignment of the patient. In the lower limb, most of the pre-operative planning is performed on full leg weightbearing radiographs. However, these images contain a 2-dimensional projection of a 3-dimensional deformity, lack a clear visualization of the joint surface and are prone to rotational errors during patient positioning. Weightbearing CT imaging has demonstrated to overcome these shortcomings during the first applications of this device at level of the foot and ankle. Recent advances allow to scan the entire lower limb and novel applications at the level of the knee and hip are on the rise. Here, we will demonstrated the current techniques and 3-dimensional measurements used in supra- and inframalleolar osteotomies around the ankle. Several of these techniques will be transposed to other parts in the lower limb to spark future studies in this field.

Keynote Speaker:

Arne Burssens, University Hospital of Ghent, Belgium

Speakers:

Claudio Belvedere, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli: Bologna, Emilia Romagna, Italy

Jing Li, University Hospital of Ghent Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Belgium

Peter Kvarda, Foot and Ankle Surgeon Orthopaedic Department Kantonsspital Baselland Rheinstrasse Liestal, Switzerland

Matthias Peiffer, Research Fellow FARIL Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School

Chairs:

Ana I. Gonçalves, 3B’s Research Group, University of Minho

Manuela E. Gomes, 3B’s Research Group, University of Minho

The use of biomechanical strategies is expanding in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Given the recognition of the importance of biomechanical cues for mechanotransduction events, biomechano-responsive materials have emerged as promising platforms to realize biomedical functions. Moreover, and in combination with cells, these mechanostimulation platforms hold promise for repairing multiple tissues, influencing cell migration, controlling stem cells activation and differentiation. Concomitantly, the delivery of functional stimuli in vivo also constitutes an important challenge in the field.

In this symposium, we will explore the breadth of research using external stimuli in the regeneration of many musculoskeletal tissues and cell niches in the body.

Keynote Speaker:

Alicia El Haj, University of Birmingham, UK

Chairs:

Valentina Russo, University of Teramo, Italy

Giovanna Della Porta, University of Salerno, Italy

The main objective of P4 FIT is to build up an innovative training and research environment in the cross-disciplinary domain of Predictive, Preventive, Personalized and Participatory (P4) tendon R&D. Indeed, tendons display a poor capacity for repair. This limited capacity has resulted in ~30% of musculoskeletal referrals being from damaged tendons which translates into an annual socioeconomic burden in excess of €150 Bn for the USA and EU alone.

In compliance with the “One Health” concept, P4 FIT looks to the Perspectives For Future Innovation in Tendon repair exploiting the technological advances in nanomedicine and tissue engineering under the close control of the end users, human and veterinary orthopaedics. P4 FIT booster innovation-driving training and research leadership is grounded in excellence inside a world-renowned international networking seeking to develop research projects in which “biology drives “technology” by finding solutions taking advantage of “computational” tools, for promoting advancement in P4 tendon therapy and diagnosis.

In this context, the proposed P4 FIT symposium will present and discuss progress and challenges in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering applied to tendon therapy and diagnosis and how to develop integrated biomedical solutions into clinical applications within this field which still remains a healthcare challenge. This symposium will span multidisciplinary interests including biomaterials, stem cell biology, 3D culture models, differentiation, and in vivo models.

Keynote Speakers:

Giovanna Della Porta, University of Salerno, Italy

Nicholas Forsyth, Keele University, UK

Speakers:

Maria Camilla Ciardulli, University of Salerno, Italy

Arlette Haidar Montes, University of Teramo, Italy

Marta Clerici, University of Salerno, Italy

Adrián Cerveró-Varona, University of Teramo, Italy

Iorio Francesco, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany

Melisa Faydaver, University of Teramo, Italy

Chairs:

Tobias Winkler, Charité – Berlin BIH: Berlin Institute of Health

Andrew Williamson, Heraeus Medical

The field of advanced therapies is more exciting and promising than ever – therapies that are based on human genes, tissues or cells offering revolutionary opportunities for the treatment of disease and injury. We see continuous advancement in research concerning new therapy options in all different medical disciplines and an increase of regulatory approvals for new medical products in that field. However, the path to patient and market is a difficult one and isolated stake holder know how often prevents product development. To overcome this obvious need, the Alliance for Advanced Therapies in Orthopaedics was founded in 2021. In this symposium we will talk about the ATiO Alliance, business models in advanced therapy development and projects within the ecosystem of the ATiO.

Keynote Speaker:

Tobias Winkler, Charité – Berlin BIH: Berlin Institute of Health

Chairs:

Sylvia Nürnberger, Medical University of Vienna

Martin Stoddart, AO Research Davos, Switzerland

Acute injury to articular cartilage is still a clinical challenge. Cells, materials and biologics offer potential new treatments. This symposium aims to highlight new developments in traumatic articular injury and repair.

Keynote Speaker:

Martin Stoddart, AO Research Davos, Switzerland

Speakers:

Andrew Williamson, Heraeus Medical ATiO Foundation

Tobias Winkler, Charité – Berlin BIH: Berlin Institute of Health ATiO Foundation

Katharina Schmidt-Bleek, Charité – Berlin ATiO Foundation

Tazio Maleitzke, Charité – Berlin ATiO Foundation

Chairs:

Esther Wehrle, AO Research Institute Davos and Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich

Martin Stoddart, AO Research Davos, Switzerland

Optimizing therapies for orthopedic applications and musculoskeletal regeneration requires a detailed knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. Well-defined preclinical models are needed to tackle these current clinical needs in orthopedics and musculoskeletal regeneration.

The symposium will focus on novel and translationally-targeted approaches in preclinical models considering the 3Rs of animal welfare.

The talks will cover advanced intravital imaging, clinically relevant mouse models and ex vivo alternatives as well as recent omics-based study approaches to advance musculoskeletal research.

Keynote Speaker:

Cristina Barrias, i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal

Speakers:

Neashan Mathavan, Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich

Richard Oreffo, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

Esther Wehrle, AO Research Institute Davos and Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich

Chairs:

Rui Domingues, 3B’s Research Group, University of Minho

Lorenzo Moroni, MERLN Maastricht University, The Netherlands

Biofabrication technologies have enabled impressive progress in the development of 3D cellular constructs to mimic the complex structural and functional characteristics of musculoskeletal tissues. 3D (bio)printing systems in particular have rapidly transitioned in recent years from emerging scaffold fabrication techniques to forefront technologies allowing the automated biofabrication of tissue analogs with fine cellular patterns. This symposium intends to be a forum of discussion on the latest developments in the field, covering the design and biofabrication strategies being explored to fabricate tissue constructs for orthopedic tissue engineering and in vitro modeling. Topics to be covered include progresses being made on new 3D (bio)printing methods, tissue specific bioinks, design concepts to recreated cellular patterns, extracellular matrix architecture and biomechanics of native tissues, as well as the functional assessment of biofabricated constructs. While covering these exiting progresses, this symposium aims to contribute for discussing the clinical translation potential of 3D bioprinted tissues and hopefully, help to guide the development of the next generation of orthopedic implants.

Keynote Speaker:

Jos Malda, University Medical Center Utrecht

Speakers:

Miguel Castilho, Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Sandra Camarero-Espinosa, POLYMAT -Basque Center for Macromolecular Design and Engineering Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain

Syeda Mahwish Bakht, 3B’s Research Group, University of Minho, Portugal

Carlos Mota, MERLN Maastricht University, The Netherlands

Chair: Dimitrios Zeugolis, UCD, Ireland

Speakers:

Sabine van Rijt, Maastricht University

Fiona Freeman, University College Dublin

Berta Cillero-Pastor, Maastricht University

Raquel Goncalves, University of Porto

Rui Domingues, 3B’s Research Group, University of Minho

Chairs:

Feza Korkusuz, Hacettepe University Medical Faculty

Denitsa Docheva, Orthopaedic Hospital König-Ludwig-Haus, University of Würzburg

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the single most common causes of pain and physical disability in older adults with an estimated 10% to 15% of persons aged over 60 having some degree of OA, which is likely to increase due to increase in life expectancy throughout the world. Despite the growing OA epidemic and major socio-economic impact, there is a lack of disease-modifying therapies that can bring symptomatic relief and preserve joint function by preventing cartilage- and joint degeneration, thus delaying OA progression. Furthermore, research specifically aimed at OA management in Europe is scattered and not strategically coordinated. The main aim of EU COST action (netwOArk) is to set up the European Society for Osteoarthritis (ESOA) with an emphasis on holistic approach involving three major groups, 1) patients, 2) clinicians and 3) researchers from academia and industry. The COST actions area aims to increase understanding and develop scientific breakthroughs in primary prevention, diagnostics, treatment, interaction (comorbidities) and care management for the disease with a specific emphasis on patient-driven research. This symposia will introduce some of the topics within the COST action, explaining the importance of 1) the clinical basis and current diagnostics for OA, 2) stratifying patients based on a specific OA phenotypes and endotypes and 3) how translational models both ex vivo and animal models can be used to for development of novel treatments (cellular, biomaterials and pharmacological) for the disease.

Speakers:

Feza Korkusuz, Hacettepe University Medical Faculty

Girish Pattappa, University Medical Centre Regensburg

Sylvia Nürnberger, Medical University Vienna

Chair: Márcia Rodrigues, 3B’s Research Group, University of Minho

Keynote Speaker:

Vânia Oliveira, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, ICBAS-UP, Portugal

Chairs:

Stefan Dudli, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Gianluca Vadalà, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Italy

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) represents a significant global burden with multifactorial origin. Research at multiple levels from the labs to the clinics is required to elucidate mechanisms of disease and degeneration and to design effective and sustaining therapies. In this symposium, the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS) partners up with EORS to deliver a cutting-edge session on CLBP. This symposium highlights recent advancements on preclinical models and clinical tools to assess and monitor intervertebral disc disorders that are frequently associated with low back symptoms.

In its 50 years of existence, the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS) has substantially advanced the understanding and treatment of low back pain. Critical success factors of ISSLS are the commingling of basic, translational, and clinical CLBP researchers across all relevant CLBP disciplines. In this symposium, established and raising ISSLS stars from basic, translational, and clinical fields present their advances in CLBP research.

Keynote Speaker:

Benjamin Gantenbein, University of Bern, Switzerland

Speakers:

Luca Ambrosio, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Italy

Graciosa Teixeira, University of Ulm, Germany

Sibylle Grad, AO Research Institute, Switzerland

Jeremy Fairbank, University of Oxford, United Kingdom