-----------------------------------------------------------

NMP-2007-2.3-1 Highly porous bioactive scaffolds controlling angiogenesis for tissue engineering
Technical content/scope: In recent years biomaterials based on porous scaffolds have proved to be effective for bone and cartilage regeneration, showing that they are very promising for medical applications, in particular in the treatment of spinal disorders. However, existing biomaterials are not able to control cell differentiation and to achieve angiogenesis and cannot be adequately injected into the body. Therefore, there is the need to design highly porous but structurally sound bioresorbable tissue-engineered scaffolds able to be functionalized and to have direct influence on cells behaviour. Bioactive scaffolds are also required for the engineering of other complex tissues (e.g. nervous, ocular, visceral, nephrological-urological, vascular). The focus should be on advanced bioactive scaffolds enabling internal growth of tissue and the site specific delivery of bioactive signalling factors (temperature, pH, concentration, internal stimuli, etc). The approaches are expected to include  FP7 Cooperation Work Programme: NMP Page 23 of 54
issues such as delivery devices (e.g. injection), remodelling of large bone defects and improved tissue-biomaterial interfaces .
Funding scheme: Large scale integrating collaborative projects.
Special features: In line with the objectives of this topic, adequate industrial participation is recommended.

Expected impact: Medical applications (bones, joints, blood vessels etc.) improving health and quality of life, using biomaterials which are able to control cell differentiation and can be successfully injected into the body. Competitiveness of the European biomaterials industry.