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
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
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.
In this training school, our main aim is 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 is part of the training school (see programme)
Stem cells in orthopedics will be explained. Furthermore, at the end of the school you
will get accustomed to the role of )ssue engineering in OA, 3D bioprinting for tissue and/or
organ engineering, enhance in regenerative medicine and biosensors, experience the current
situation of adipose-derived stem cells and the efficacy of the stem cell-rich stromal vascular
fraction for knee OA treatments.