GreenNanoBone Challenge

As cancer survival rates improve and antiresorptive therapies become more common, cases of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) are rising. Current treatment options are limited, often focussed on symptom management and frequently rely on long-term antibiotics. This not only contributes to antimicrobial resistance but also significantly impacts a patient's quality of life. There's a clear need for new, minimally invasive treatments that can regenerate tissue and address the root cause of MRONJ, rather than just its symptoms.

GreenNanoBone addresses this gap. It focuses on preventing MRONJ and promoting tissue regeneration using smart, bioactive and antimicrobial materials. The project’s approach is deeply sustainable: GreenNanoBone transforms agricultural and industrial waste into valuable resources, linking therapeutic innovation with the broader societal goal of reducing healthcare's environmental footprint.

GreenNanoBone Solution

GreenNanoBone integrates regenerative nanomedicine with sustainable materials engineering to develop a novel treatment platform for MRONJ. The central innovation is a smart hydrogel synthesised from food industry by-products, specifically potato waste and functionalised for enhanced bioactivity and antimicrobial efficacy. This hydrogel can be injected or 3D-printed into scaffolds to promote localised tissue regeneration.

The project uses Artificial Intelligence to optimise the material's properties and predict its biological performance. Preclinical validation will rigorously assess its biocompatibility, ability to heal bone and soft tissue and antimicrobial efficacy. Simultaneously, GreenNanoBone will establish scalable, GMP-like production protocols to facilitate clinical translation. The GreenNanoBone solution’s modularity also holds potential for broader applications in bone-related pathologies, including osteoporotic fractures and complex skeletal defects.

GreenNanoBone Circular Economy Principles

GreenNanoBone integrates medical innovation with environmental sustainability through the principles of the circular economy. This approach focuses on minimising waste and maximising the use of existing resources by reusing, recycling and repurposing materials. In this context, biomaterials are developed using by-products from the potato industry, materials that would otherwise be discarded. Pectin is extracted from plant waste and used as a key precursor in the production of a bioactive hydrogel designed to treat MRONJ. The hydrogel is fully biodegradable, breaking down naturally without leaving harmful residues.

A core objective of GreenNanoBone is to establish a climate-neutral hydrogel production process, demonstrating a sustainable model for future biomedical innovations. The technologies used to produce GreenNanoBone will not require high energy input, process water, generate heat or other forms of waste.