University of Patras
University of Patras is a public academic institution located in Patras, Greece, founded in 1964. It consists of 7 Schools and 31 departments with versatile and innovative activity in natural and health sciences as well as in humanities and economics. As research center, the University of Patras promotes interdisciplinary knowledge and exploitation of basic and applied research, literacy and arts of education, research, culture. The lab of Pharmaceutical Technology of the Department of Pharmacy (School of Health Sciences) has expertise in the design and development of targeted Liposomes for Drug delivery applications. Prof. Sophia G. Antimisiaris, is head of the Laboratory and a Collaborating member of the Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences of the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH-ICES). The laboratory has participated in several EU funded projects in the past in FP6, FP7, Intereg, Marie Curie frameworks.
Role within SBR
Within the department of Orthopedic surgery, scientists studied the surgical techniques needed to be applied to fixate the femur and stabilize the SBR scaffold. Different fixation plates were used and femoral defects held in place with the scaffold were tested to determine their biomechanical behavior such as the distributed stresses and axial resistance and the biomechanical properties of newly formed bone. In addition, using pQCT images, the porosity and mechanical properties of the newly created bone have been studied and an FEA model is generated to predict the stress distribution. Researchers from the lab of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, UPAT, were involved in the development of liposomal delivery systems for controlled release of bioactives from the SBR to reinforce the implant for optimal bone regeneration. After appropriate in-vitro studies of different types of liposomes, the most optimal system type that promotes cell proliferation, migration and osteogenesis would be selected. Optimized formulations would then be integrated in the implant for prolonged stability and biological activity testing. Additionally, the laboratory was involved in cytotoxicity and biocompatibility testing of other parts of the implant. Finally, the group was tasked with formulating the required quantities of the selected optimal liposomal formulations of Growth factors for integration in the final scaffolds that would later be selected for in-vivo testing.
