Injectable Hydrogel for Antimicrobial and Regenerative Therapy of Fracture-Related Bone Infections (BoneART)

BoneART aims to develop and validate an injectable, non-antibiotic hydrogel for local treatment of fracture-related bone infections (FRIs) and simultaneous bone regeneration. The hydrogel integrates ε-poly-L-lysine (ε-PL), hyaluronic acid (HA), and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) in a sterile dual-syringe system, enabling in situ crosslinking and precise delivery to irregular bone defects. Unlike existing antibiotic-loaded grafts, BoneART offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity without the use of antibiotics, thereby reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and eliminating the need for pharmaceutical residues. Within 8 months, the project will optimize formulation composition, verify injectability, mechanical stability, sterilization, and bioactive performance under laboratory conditions (TRL 3 → TRL 4). Biological validation will include in vitro antimicrobial testing on clinical isolates (MRSA, ESBL E. coli, CRPA), as well as cytocompatibility and osteogenesis evaluation using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Intellectual property protection (FTO analysis, submission of a patent application) and an exploitation roadmap will ensure clinical, regulatory, and commercial readiness. The project combines materials science, microbiology, and clinical expertise to develop a sustainable, non-antibiotic bone regeneration technology that aligns with the EU Green Deal and AMR mitigation goals.