URCA Joins BONEREPAIR, a European Project to Heal Bones Faster and Better
The University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA) is proud to announce its participation in the European research project BONEREPAIR, recently awarded a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant. This ambitious project, led by Professor Jean-François Ganghoffer (University of Lorraine – LEM3) in collaboration with Professor Halima Kerdjoudj of the BIOS laboratory at URCA, aims to revolutionize treatments for osteoporosis-related fractures.
Each year, more than 4 million Europeans suffer osteoporotic fractures, leading to pain, loss of autonomy, and considerable social costs. BONEREPAIR proposes an innovative approach to stimulate bone regeneration by leveraging the natural electromechanical properties of bone.
Innovation based on bone piezoelectricity and flexoelectricity
Bone is a living material, sensitive to mechanical stress, but also capable of generating tiny electrical charges when deformed—a phenomenon known as piezoelectricity. The BONEREPAIR project builds on this property, along with another, more subtle mechanism, flexoelectricity, to trigger biological processes that promote bone repair.
The objective: to better understand these phenomena at all scales—from the cell to the tissue—and to design targeted, effective, and drug-free therapeutic solutions.
Interdisciplinary research serving regenerative medicine
BONEREPAIR brings together a European team of biologists, biomechanics engineers, computational modeling experts, imaging specialists, and materials scientists. URCA plays a central role thanks to the expertise of the BIOS laboratory in biomaterials engineering and bone biology.
Toward next-generation treatments
This project paves the way for concrete clinical applications, including:
- Electroactive, personalized bone grafts, capable of self-stimulating to accelerate healing;
- Stronger, longer-lasting implants, better integrated into the body;
- Innovative, drug-free therapies, based on gentle electrical stimulation of damaged tissues.
“In the long term, this project could significantly improve current treatments by reducing healing time and enhancing patients’ quality of life,” explains Prof. Halima Kerdjoudj.
European recognition of excellence
The awarding of an ERC Advanced Grant to this project highlights the scientific excellence of the researchers involved. This prestigious funding makes it possible to acquire cutting-edge equipment, recruit young talent, and pursue bold experimental approaches.
BONEREPAIR embodies URCA’s commitment to interdisciplinary, innovative research that anticipates the healthcare of tomorrow.
About the ERC
The European Research Council (ERC) is one of the most prestigious funding bodies supporting frontier research in Europe. It finances breakthrough scientific projects led by internationally recognized researchers, providing them with ambitious resources and great scientific freedom.
Press Contact:
Marie Odette VICTOR – marie-odette.victor@univ-reims.fr – Tel: +33 6 75 65 00 32