Building the future of bone regenerative therapy with AI-robotics and stem cells
Millions of people worldwide live with bone defects and fractures caused by cancer, trauma, aging, or severe infections. The “Biofactory” project at the University of Bergen aims to make advanced stem cell therapies more affordable and accessible.
Published: (Updated: )
Big things are currently happening at the Department of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine. A new and highly innovative research project could revolutionize the field of regenerative medicine by using AI robotics.
With a total budget of €8.2 million, this is one of the largest HORIZON EU-funded research projects ever coordinated by the University of Bergen.
The project, named “Biofactory”, could have a huge impact on patients with major bone defects as well as for treatment of non-healed fractures. These defects and fractures affect both appearance and everyday functions such as eating, speaking and movements.
Today, large bone defects are often repaired using bone taken from another part of the patient's body. This procedure requires additional surgery and can lead to pain, complications, and long recovery times.
The project aims to develop a new and more efficient way to produce advanced regenerative therapies based on mesenchymal stem cells, a type of cell that can help the body repair damaged tissue.
The research will also work to reduce differences between cell batches and donors, helping to make treatments more predictable and effective.
Building on a solid foundation
Biofactory builds on a strong track record in stem cell research and regenerative medicine at the Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen.
Researchers in the Tissue Engineering Research Group (external link) involved in the project have contributed to pioneering European initiatives in stem cell-based bone regeneration and tissue engineering, helping to advance new treatment approaches from the laboratory towards clinical testing.
The group has conducted clinical trials using mesenchymal stem cells and biomaterials for bone regeneration, contributing to the limited number of successful European clinical studies in this field. Biofactory will build on these achievements by developing the next generation of advanced manufacturing technologies needed to bring regenerative therapies to a large number of patients.
“One of the biggest barriers to bringing stem cell therapies to patients is the cost. Today, producing these therapies can cost tens of thousands of euros per patient, making large-scale clinical use difficult,” says Shuntaro Yamada, scientific manager of the project.
Optimizing the manufacturing
A primary goal is to optimize and standardize manufacturing with the help of highly advanced regulatory-compliant robotics and AI biologists. These robots will not only help produce the cells needed for treatment, but also design a patient-specific scaffold to support new bone growth.
“Bone is the second most transplanted organ after blood. Bone transplantation is normally an invasive procedure that can cause immune rejection. Our successful clinical trials using stem cells and biomaterials show promising results,” says professor Kamal Babikeir Elnour Mustafa, leader of the Biofactory project, the Tissue Engineering Research Group (external link) at UiB and the Center for Translational Oral Research.
The team at UiB will work together with 14 partners across Europe, representing nine countries. The partners will provide expertise in biology, cell production, AI, robotic technology and regulation.
Several of the partners have already been involved in previous EU projects led by the same research group at UiB.
“Currently there are no standardized approved products for bone regeneration available in Europe. The cost for one patient is normally around €20,000. In our proposal we aim to reduce the cost significantly,” the researchers point out.
Towards clinical implementation
The robotic system will be installed at the Department of Clinical Dentistry and connected to a 3D printer.
The clinical goal is to develop a certified automated manufacturing system that hospitals can use to produce stem cell-based therapies for patients.
During the four-year project, researchers will generate the data needed to move the technology towards clinical use and future trials.