BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence M. Zhu METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260630T094500 DTEND:20260630T111500 DTSTAMP:20260630T094500 UID:phd-defence-m-zhu@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260922T090103 LOCATION: SUMMARY:PhD defence M. Zhu X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Chondroinductive Pep tides for Cartilage Regeneration

Peptides designed to sti mulate the growth of new cartilage

Cartilage cannot properly r epair itself. Therefore, damage often leads to long-term and/or perma nent complaints and eventually osteoarthritis. Regenerative medicine is concerned with repairing damaged cells, tissues and organs. Within this area of medicine, therefore, there is an intensive search for w ays to stimulate the repair of cartilage.

Short protein fragments
For this research, Mingjing Zhu focused on two main questions. 1st: What small protein fragments (peptides) can hel p cartilage repair and rebuild? 2nd: How can we make a better and mor e realistic test model for the cartilage in the temporomandibular joi nt (TMJ), since existing models are not good enough?

Zhu discov ered a new peptide: TP8. This substance can stimulate cartilage forma tion without creating unwanted bone. That makes it a promising candid ate for future treatments.

3D lab model
In addition, Zhu developed a new 3D lab model that also simulates mechan ical loads (such as pressure and movement). This is important because the jaw joint is constantly under stress in everyday life. This mode l makes it possible to test treatments that combine both biological s ubstances (such as peptides) and mechanical stimuli. It is a first go od working example, but further improvement is needed.

Together , this dissertation provides two important results: a promising pepti de (TP8) and a better test model that matches reality. These will hel p researchers develop and test more targeted new treatments for carti lage repair in the temporomandibular joint. Ultimately, this may cont ribute to better care for patients with jaw joint complaints.

< strong>Sustainable solution
The results will help develop new treatments in orthopedics and dentistry for cartilage problems. This may ultimately lead to better, more durable solutions than exist ing treatments, which often treat symptoms but do not achieve full ti ssue repair.

Learn more about the thesis

DESCRIPTION: Chondroinductive Peptides for Cartilage Regeneration

Peptides designed to stimulate the growth of new cartilage

Cartil age cannot properly repair itself. Therefore, damage often leads to l ong-term and/or permanent complaints and eventually osteoarthritis. R egenerative medicine is concerned with repairing damaged cells, tissu es and organs. Within this area of medicine, therefore, there is an i ntensive search for ways to stimulate the repair of cartilage.Short protein fragments
For this research, Mingjing Zhu focused on two main questions. 1st: What small protein fragments (pep tides) can help cartilage repair and rebuild? 2nd: How can we make a better and more realistic test model for the cartilage in the temporo mandibular joint (TMJ), since existing models are not good enough?Zhu discovered a new peptide: TP8. This substance can stimulate cartilag e formation without creating unwanted bone. That makes it a promising candidate for future treatments.3D lab model
In addition, Zhu developed a new 3D lab model that also simulates mechan ical loads (such as pressure and movement). This is important because the jaw joint is constantly under stress in everyday life. This mode l makes it possible to test treatments that combine both biological s ubstances (such as peptides) and mechanical stimuli. It is a first go od working example, but further improvement is needed.Together, this dissertation provides two important results: a promising peptide (TP8 ) and a better test model that matches reality. These will help resea rchers develop and test more targeted new treatments for cartilage re pair in the temporomandibular joint. Ultimately, this may contribute to better care for patients with jaw joint complaints.Sustain able solution
The results will help develop new treatment s in orthopedics and dentistry for cartilage problems. This may ultim ately lead to better, more durable solutions than existing treatments , which often treat symptoms but do not achieve full tissue repair.Le arn more about the thesis END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR