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The Tryfonidou group focusses on three research lines: local controlled drug delivery for prolonged pain relief in joints, cell-based therapies to regenerate intervertebral discs and reverse disease and personalized 3D-printed implants.

1. Local controlled drug delivery for prolonged pain relief in joints

Upon an intra-articular or intra-discal application, biomaterials enabling controlled release of anti-inflammatory medication harness inflammation and mitigate pain. Through a unique preclinical platform employing small animal models and ultimately the veterinary patients suffering from osteoarthritis or back pain, we have been able to develop these strategies. 

To feed these strategies with the appropriate biomolecules, we employ developmental biology and the divergence seen within the canine species to identify and validate regenerative targets by means of “omics”. Within this context, we also study how joint distraction facilitates intrinsic cartilage repair.

2. Cell-based therapies to regenerate intervertebral discs and reverse disease

Long-lasting reduction of back pain can only be achieved via regeneration of tissue and restoration of the biomechanical function of the disc. However, stem cell-therapies exert short-lived analgesic effects and do not regenerate the disc. In this research line, we employ notochordal cell biology and their regenerative and anti-inflammatory potential.

Within the H2020 iPSpine consortium, we focus on differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) into notochordal cells, the cells that reside in juvenile discs. These iPS-NCs, combined with smart biomaterial, are geared to rejuvenate the degenerate disc. Initial studies in preclinical testing platforms will culminate in a proof-of-concept study in canine patients suffering from chronic back pain.  

3. Personalized 3D-printed implants.

In collaboration with the ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� Medical Centre and the Field lab 3DMedical we implement personalized implants to treat complicated veterinary orthopaedic cases. In addition, we are currently further developing a safe and straightforward surgical approach to treat hip dysplasia in human and veterinary patients with a personalized 3D-printed titanium implant.  This treatment should prevent the development of debilitating secondary hip osteoarthritis and prevent last resort surgical treatment in severe cases involving femoral head and neck resection or hip joint replacement.

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