Projects

Development of chitosan-based medical device for improving functional recovery after radical prostatectomy 2018 - 2021 | Call for Healthcare Research 

PI Prof. Stefano Geuna

This project aims to develop functionalized nanostructured membrane to support and promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery after a trogenic damage to the periprostatic autonomic neurovascular bundles, possible draw back of prostatic cancerresection, to preserve erectile functionality.

Optimization of decellularization protocols of human nerves for the reconstruction of damaged peripheral nerves
2016-2017 | Fondazione CRT

This project aims to develop a standard protocol easily replicable for decellularization of peripheral nerves taken from a corpse, to insert them in the Muscle-Skeletal Tissue Bank of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta, and make them available to surgeons for repair damaged nerves.

Moving Again: Integrated Therapies to Cure Post-Traumatic Paralysis
2015-2017 | National Project, Bando per il finanziamento di Progetti di Ricerca di Ateneo/CSP 2014

PI Dr.ssa Stefania Raimondo

Common therapies used to treat paralysis caused by peripheral nerve injuries still not allow to achieve complete recovery of patients. The InTheCure project has therefore the purpose to realize an innovative and integrated therapy to improve the patients’ outcome after nerve damage by simultaneously:

• potentiating axonal regeneration using the best conduit and the best physical therapy on reconstructed nerve;
• preventing and recovering muscle atrophy using the most adequate physical and/or biological therapy;
• acting on central nervous system plasticity to facilitate functional recovery

Biohybrid templates for peripheral nerve regeneration
2012-2015 | European project of EU-FP7-Health-2011

The Consortium consists six academic partners that are recognized leaders in the scientific areas of interest for this project and three active and well integrated SMEs
Coordinator: Hannover Medical School, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Lund University, Universidade do Minho, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center - Tel Aviv University, Technische Universität München, Klinikum Rechts der Isar
Stefano Geuna, head of research unit of Università degli Studi di Torino

Traumatic injuries of peripheral nerves are among the major causes for morbidity and disability in Europe and have a considerably high social impact. It has been estimated that the incidence of peripheral nerve injuries derived from trauma is about 300,000 cases per year. Therefore, the repair and regeneration of peripheral nerve injuries represents a major field where clinical application of innovative therapies in regenerative medicine is sought.
The BIOHYBRID consortium was build up with the overall aim to develop, in a preclinical perspective, an innovative biohybrid device for the regenerative treatment of traumatic injuries of peripheral nerves.

> more information | International Symposium on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration, Torino 23-25 January 2014

Neurolink - Physical exercise and Diseases of the Nervous System: focus on glia cells
2014-2015 | Fund for Local Research - University of Turin

The purpose of this research is to use the translational skills (clinical and biological) in neuroscience present in the Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, in order to develop innovative methods of investigation to allow the development of new therapies in the field of neurological and psychiatric diseases.
In particular, it will focus on demyelinating disorders (Multipe Sclerosis), focusing on the pregnancy, on the immediate postpartum and on the depressive syndrome related to it.

BICONERVE - Biomimetic constructs for nerve re generation
2011-2014 | project funded by POR. FESR 07-13

The project aims to develop an innovative device for neuronal regeneration after injuries of peripheral nerves, applicable in plastic surgery, in surgery of the abdominal wall and in the surgery of the uro-gynecological system.
The device consists of a bicomponent bilayer membrane able to support and stimulate the regeneration of the total or partial injury of peripheral nerves.