Scalable production of biphasic tissue constructs for mosaicplasty of osteochondral defects

Mosaicplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at repairing damaged cartilage by transplanting healthy cartilage plugs from non-weight-bearing areas. However, the limited availability of suitable donor cartilage poses a significant challenge, hindering the broader application and effectiveness of mosaicplasty for larger cartilage defects. To overcome these limitations, this project focuses on developing a customized biphasic osteochondral tissue construct. The construct incorporates mesenchymal stem cells and is incubated within a specially designed bioreactor. The novel biomaterial, collagen type 0, will be employed for bone tissue engineering, while silk fibroin, methacrylated hyaluronic acid, and decellularized extracellular matrix will be utilized for cartilage tissue. Extensive characterization of the individual scaffolds, as well as the combined construct, will involve biocompatibility and cytotoxicity testing, evaluation of tissue formation, and analysis of gene expression. Mechanical and biotribological tests will be conducted to assess the construct's stability and friction. By addressing research gaps and implementing innovative techniques, this project aims to advance the field of cartilage repair, offering a sustainable and effective solution for osteochondral defects.