The research team involved in the European project HYDROHEAL is developing microparticles encapsulated in bioresorbable and self-hardening hydrogels, capable of incorporating and transporting a range of pharmacological agents. These biomaterials will act as temporary scaffolds to support bone regeneration while also enabling the controlled and targeted release of active agents, thereby enhancing treatment effectiveness and significantly reducing the risk of infection and implant rejection. The project focuses on developing new biomaterials for treating vertebral and alveolar fractures (in the jawbone, at the base of the teeth), particularly in complex cases resulting from osteoporosis, cancer or trauma.

The initiative will also employ innovative technologies such as layer-by-layer coating to develop the microparticles by adding successive layers containing active molecules, which can be released sequentially throughout the course of treatment.

According to Piergiorgio Gentile, coordinator of the project and a researcher at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), “the main challenges lie in formulating and manufacturing materials that incorporate a wide variety of components and molecules, which must retain their properties and be released at the right time. With HYDROHEAL, we will be able to offer personalised and less invasive solutions that promote better and faster recovery.”

At the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), the project is coordinated by ICREA Research Professor Conrado Aparicio, head of the Bioinspired Oral Biomaterials and Interfaces (BOBI) research group and a researcher at the UPC’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. As Aparicio explains, “the materials currently used to replace bone are often prone to infection. To address this, the materials developed in the project will incorporate antibacterial agents. Our group will assess how bacteria adhere to the developed materials under conditions that simulate the human body, enabling us to determine the best strategies to prevent this type of bone infection.”

Artificial intelligence and digital modelling
HYDROHEAL will also incorporate artificial intelligence tools and hybrid digital modelling to optimise the design and performance of the new materials. Following an initial formulation stage, in vitro and in vivo trials will be conducted to validate their effectiveness and safety before moving on to sustainable large-scale production.

The project, funded by the European Commission’s Horizon programme with close to €6.5 million, was launched in June and will run for four years.

Coordinated by the UPV, it involves 13 partners from 8 European countries, including universities, hospitals, technology centres and companies from the pharmaceutical and biomedical sectors. In addition to the UPC and the UPV, the partners are Newcastle University (UK), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the University of Warwick (UK), the Centre for Process Innovation – CPI (UK), SITEC Pharmabio (Spain), Separeco (Italy), Vet Ex Machina LTD (Cyprus), Fluidinova S.A. (Portugal), Asphalion S.A. (Spain) and ConsulTech GmbH (Germany).