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5. Oct. 2024
CEITEC Brno University of Technology (BUT) scientists have launched the ACCURE project (“Austrian-Czech Union for Regenerative Medicine for Acute and Chronic Wounds”), an ambitious initiative under the Interreg Austria-Czech Republic programme for institutional cooperation. This cutting-edge project aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation in the fields of medicine, biotechnology, and innovation by developing a novel 3D-printed in vitro full-thickness skin model for drug and therapeutic testing.
The ACCURE project brings together leading universities, research institutions, and private companies from Austria and the Czech Republic to address critical challenges in regenerative medicine. The three-year initiative, running from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, focuses on creating a 3D-printed skin model that faithfully replicates the structure and function of human skin. This innovative model will serve as a platform for testing drugs, therapeutic substances, and cosmetics, aiming to accelerate the development of new treatments and materials while reducing reliance on animal models, in line with the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).
Lucy Vojtová and her team from the Advanced Biomaterials research group at CEITEC BUT, which focuses on the development of new nanostructured polymer-composite biomaterials that induce connective tissue growth, steer the project with Brno University of Technology as the leading partner in the consortium. Other partners include Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic), Johannes Kepler University Linz (Linz, Austria), PROFACTOR GmbH (Steyr, Austria), Enantis s.r.o. (Brno, Czech Republic), and TIGER Coatings GmbH & Co. KG (Wels, Austria).
The project pioneers a unique approach by leveraging multi-material 3D inkjet printing technology to construct a full-thickness skin model. Two specialized inks are being developed for this purpose: (1) biodegradable polymer cured by UV radiation and (2) hydrogel infused with bioactive proteins. “We discussed the high benefits of such a skin model with our Austrian colleagues. We know that it will accelerate the development and deployment of new drugs, including testing of their safety and efficacy, and thus help many patients. Support from the regional Interreg program is crucial for establishing this “neighbourly” cooperation,” commented the project's principal investigator, Lucy Vojtová from CEITEC BUT.
The 3D-printed construct is colonized with fibroblast and keratinocyte cells to create a functional skin model with both epidermal and dermal layers, including a basement membrane. This advanced model will be utilized to evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs and therapeutics for acute and chronic wound healing, eczema, and other skin conditions, as well as for cosmetic testing.
The ACCURE project primarily aims at the development of a functional in vitro full-thickness skin model, which represents a significant advancement in the fields of medicine and biotechnology. The project will also increase the visibility of scientific and technological innovation through planned cross-border activities, promoting advancements in 3D printing for regenerative medicine.
Additionally, the initiative should strengthen collaboration between research organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Danube region, fostering innovation and regional development.
The ACCURE project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with an approved budget of €1,229,093.28 under Project ID ATCZ00083.
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