Visit of Victoria Sarafian at Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine
It was a pride to host Prof. Victoria Sarafian and Assoc. Prof. Maria Kazakova at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine and Department of Bioengineering between March 29 and April 3, 2024.
EU-COST Actions function extremely well for networking and collaboration. Prof. Sarafian delivered an excellent lecture on molecular and regenerative medicine. She presented their research teams recent studies and publications. We had the opportunity to discuss future collaborations. A research study was already initiated. Another one can potentially launch very soon.
We are grateful to EU-COST Actions CA21110 – Building an open European Network on OsteoArthritis research (NetwOArk) and CA22170 – TEndon Regeneration NETwork (TENET). Through these actions, we found the opportunity to network and collaborate for research and education.
Sincere regards,
Feza Korkusuz MD
Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine
Press release from COST
Dr Karima BenSalah and Prof Ali Mobasheri posted a press release on the COST webpage:
https://www.cost.eu/tsunami-of-osteoarthritis-netwoaark/
Was also broadly picked-up by medical press COST___Online_News_2024-03-27-08-14-47
Feedback from a patient on the workshop in Istanbul
ARTICULAR CARTILAGE ENGINEERING TRAINING SCHOOL
Hasan ISILDAK 01/12/2023 – 03/12/2023
I participated in this workshop on the dates mentioned above as a patient of
osteoarthritis. Since 1983, I have been involved in the importation of
orthopedic surgical implants and marketing them to hospitals across Turkey.
For the last three years, I have been experiencing osteoarthritis in my right hip.
The orthopedic surgeons I consulted strongly recommended total hip
replacement with arthroplasty. When I spoke with Prof. Dr. Feza Korkusuz, he
mentioned that technological advancements are progressing rapidly and new
applications for cartilage treatments in joint diseases are emerging. He
suggested that I attend the articular cartilage engineering education school.
During this education, Prof. Christoph Ladel provided detailed informa/on
about osteoarthritis treatments in Europe. Prof. Seda Vatansever explained the
role of tissue engineering in osteoarthritis treatment. Prof. Onur Uysal
elaborated extensively on stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis. Prof. Semra
Sardas discussed the safety effects of drugs used in osteoarthritis treatment.
What impressed me the most and gave me hope for the future was the
presentation by Prof. Meltem Avcı; mRNA-based approaches and tissue
regeneration potential in osteoarthritis treatment.
In addition to these, I closely followed the presentations of other scientists. I
once again realized that postponing the implanta2on for myself was the right
decision. I am confident that tissue engineering will be a prominent method in
osteoarthritis treatment in the future.
Best regards,
Hasan Işıldak
Also on the training school webpage: https://acets2023.istinye.edu.tr/program
First STSM grants granted!
Our first newsletter now available
We are delighted to announce our first, quarterly NetwOArk newsletter is now available. This issue of the newsletter was produced by the communications coordinator Ali Mobasheri. We are planning to issue
NetwOArk – a new consortium of European researchers to tackle the problem of osteoarthritis
A new network of European researchers has been funded by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) to focus on osteoarthritis by developing new strategies to tackle this crippling condition.
NetwOArk Conference Kickoff
On the 23rd of January, 2023 three Action group meetings were held at the conference venue 14-15 hrs Core group meeting 15-16 hrs Scientific Communication Committee meeting 16:15-17.30 hrs MC
In this training school, our main aim was to include our patients into our research planning.
Information on bone and cartilage histology and stem cells in osteoarthritis (OA) will be
provided. Hands-on training was part of the training
In the booklet you can find summaries and what has been done
A Great experience and well organized event!!! Kudos to Ayca and Feza!!! plus the whole organizing team!!!
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EORS 2023 NetwOArk symposia in Porto, Portugal
On September 29th 2023, COST action members, Prof. Sylvia Nürnberger, Prof. Denitsa Docheva, Prof. Feza Korkusuz and Dr. Girish Pattappa organised a NetwOArk symposium that took place during the 31st Aannual European Orthopaedic Research Society (EORS) Meeting in Porto at the Alfandega do Porto. The symposium consisted of three presentations each addressing a working group theme of the action. Prof. Feza Korkusuz described how patients with OA are treated in clinical practice using a patient algorithm dependent upon OA severity, as well as data on patient response to injectable treatments for OA. Dr. Girish Pattappa gave an overview on the current understanding for cellular and molecular endotypes of OA and the technologies used to uncover novel biomarkers, whilst the final talk by Prof. Sylvia Nürnberger summarized different in vitro models for testing novel OA therapeutics that have the potential to speed up clinical translation and reduce the requirement for animal models. In sum, the symposium successfully disseminated information on the NetwOArk COST action as well as provided an excellent synopsis on OA clinical and basic research, whilst also pointed out areas for further research.
The symposium was attended by 35 congress participants and there was a very active question and answer session. The symposia attendees were also encouraged to join in this COST action and participate in future NetwOArk meetings. Due to the success of this session, future EORS-NetwOArk symposia may be conducted in the following years.
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Survey OA patients across Europe to assess their level of understanding of their condition and determine what they know about treatment guidelines.
The aim of this study is to determine what the knowledge about osteoarthritis is among people with osteoarthritis, what they themselves can do in case of complaints of osteoarthritis and what they can expect from healthcare providers.
https://erasmusmcsurvey.erasmusmc.nl/netwoark/ls/index.php/617132
Book from netwOArk traing school Istanbul Dec 2023