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24 May 2024

The DRIVE-RM consortium receives 37,5 million for regenerative medicine with smart materials

The DRIVE-RM consortium, with MERLN-professor Clemens van Blitterswijk as co-applicant, receives 37,5 million euros within the prestigious SUMMIT-programme of the NWO. The SUMMIT grant recognizes worldclass collaborations, which are further strengthened through this grant.  The collaboration between UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Eindhoven University of Technology, Maastricht University and the Hubrecht institute is all about smart materials that can help heal the body.

Regenerative medicine

Regenerative Medicine refers to the repair or replacement of damaged tissues and organs using the body’s own regenerative capacity. DRIVE-RM focuses specifically on material-drive regeneration, which uses smart, life-like or even living materials that encourage the human body to generate new tissues. The DRIVE-RM consortium is dedicated to developing novel treatment methods for heart failure, kidney failure, and bone, cartilage, or joint disorders. “Currently, tens of thousands of patients are being treated in the field of spinal surgery with materials from our lab”, remarks Clemens van Blitterswijk. “The researchers hope and expect that, within the context of the SUMMIT grant, more of these treatments will be developed in the coming years.”

Five know more than one

The institutes involved have a history of collaboration. Thus, DRIVE-RM is lead by five outstanding scientists, all with plenty of experience in leading groundbreaking research projects. Besides UM-professor Clemens van Blitterswijk, who focuses on tissue engineering and biomaterials, there are Carlijn Bouten (TU/e, cardiovascular regeneration and tissue engineering), Jos Malda (Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht, biofabrication and bone/cartilage regeneration), Jeroen Bakkers (Hubrecht Instituut and UMC Utrecht, regenerative biology and cardiac regeneration) and Marianne Verhaar (UMC Utrecht, kidney and vascular regeneration).

Recognizing top researchers

The NWO SUMMIT programme focuses on worldclass collaborations and facilitates breakthroughs on international level. The project leader of DRIVE-RM is Marianne Verhaar, internist-nephrologist, and professor in Experimental Nephrology at UMC Utrecht. “Over the past 20 years, we have set-up excellent collaborations within the Netherlands in the field of regenerative medicine, resulting in multiple large, innovative, and successful projects” says Verhaar. “The SUMMIT grant is a wonderful recognition for the work and underscores the importance of regenerative medicine as a leading field in the Netherlands.”

Learn more on the website of NWO