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:2026/phd-defence-m-zhu@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260613T010339 LOCATION:(1st floor) Auditorium, Main building De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence M. Zhu X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Chondroinductive Peptid es for Cartilage Regeneration

Peptides designed to stimulate the growth of new cartilage

Short protein fragme nts
For this research, Mingjing Zhu focused on two main q uestions. 1st: What small protein fragments (peptides) can help carti lage repair and rebuild? 2nd: How can we make a better and more reali stic test model for the cartilage in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ ), since existing models are not good enough?

Zhu discovered a new peptide: TP8. This substance can stimulate cartilage formation wi thout creating unwanted bone. That makes it a promising candidate for future treatments.

3D lab model
In additio n, Zhu developed a new 3D lab model that also simulates mechanical lo ads (such as pressure and movement). This is important because the ja w joint is constantly under stress in everyday life. This model makes it possible to test treatments that combine both biological substanc es (such as peptides) and mechanical stimuli. It is a first good work ing 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.

Sustainable solution
The results will help develop new tr eatments in orthopedics and dentistry for cartilage problems. This ma y ultimately lead to better, more durable solutions than existing tre atments, which often treat symptoms but do not achieve full tissue re pair.

Learn more about the thesis

DESCRIPTION:

Peptides designed to stimulate the growth of new cart ilage

Cartilage cannot properly repair itself. Therefore, damage often leads to long-term and/or permanent complaints and eventually osteoarthritis. Regenerative medicine is concerned with repairing dam aged cells, tissues and organs. Within this area of medicine, therefo re, there is an intensive search for ways to stimulate the repair of cartilage. Short protein fragments
For this resea rch, Mingjing Zhu focused on two main questions. 1st: What small prot ein fragments (peptides) can help cartilage repair and rebuild? 2nd: How can we make a better and more realistic test model for the cartil age in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), since existing models are n ot good enough? Zhu discovered a new peptide: TP8. This substance can stimulate cartilage formation without creating unwanted bone. That m akes it a promising candidate for future treatments. 3D lab m odel
In addition, Zhu developed a new 3D lab model that a lso simulates mechanical loads (such as pressure and movement). This is important because the jaw joint is constantly under stress in ever yday life. This model makes it possible to test treatments that combi ne both biological substances (such as peptides) and mechanical stimu li. It is a first good working example, but further improvement is ne eded. Together, this dissertation provides two important results: a p romising peptide (TP8) and a better test model that matches reality. These will help researchers develop and test more targeted new treatm ents for cartilage repair in the temporomandibular joint. Ultimately, this may contribute to better care for patients with jaw joint compl aints. Sustainable solution
The results will help develop new treatments in orthopedics and dentistry for cartilage pr oblems. This may ultimately lead to better, more durable solutions th an existing treatments, which often treat symptoms but do not achieve full tissue repair. Learn more about the thesis Chondroinduc tive Peptides for Cartilage Regeneration END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR