BioOva

5th Joint Call: BioOva

The proposal aims to develop a bioinspired engineered ovary (BioOva) as a unique strategy to restore fertility in cancer patients. Survival rates of malignant diseases are improving, but chemo/radiotherapy often damages ovarian tissue, leading to loss of reproductive and endocrine function. BioOva will mimic the natural ovary’s structure and biochemical signaling to support folliculogenesis in vitro and in vivo.
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Background

Cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy save lives but frequently destroy ovarian function in women of childbearing age. Fertility preservation methods like ovarian tissue cryobanking present risks of reintroducing malignant cells in some cancer types. Therefore, innovative strategies are needed to restore fertility safely.

The BioOva project addresses this by creating a bioinspired engineered ovary capable of replicating the supportive environment of a natural ovary. This approach integrates tissue engineering, nanotechnology, and reproductive biology to provide a safer and more effective fertility restoration solution for cancer patients.

The project

BioOva pursues three specific objectives (SOs):

  • Development of BioOva 3D matrix (WP1-3): A temporary hydrogel (3Dgel) will be engineered with defined stiffness and stability, functionalized with ECM components, and validated in vitro and in vivo.
  • Development of BioOva nanoparticles (WP4-6): Nanoparticles will be designed to encapsulate and release bioactive signaling factors, enabling controlled and sustained delivery to support folliculogenesis.
  • Assessment of BioOva (WP7-8): The system’s ability to support complete folliculogenesis will be evaluated, with the aim of producing healthy oocytes for in vitro maturation.

The science

BioOva integrates nanotechnology, biomaterials, and reproductive biology:

  • Development of synthetic hydrogels mimicking the ovarian extracellular matrix.
  • Use of nanoparticle delivery systems for controlled release of biofactors, ensuring biocompatibility and signaling efficacy.
  • Application of advanced molecular techniques to assess follicle survival, growth, and maturation in engineered environments.

The project builds on expertise in biomaterials, proteomics, reproductive biology, and fertility preservation from leading European and Southeast Asian partners.

The team

The BioOva partners are:

Prof. Dr. Christiani Andrade Amorim (Coordinator), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Belgium

Dr. Martin Ehrbar, University of Zurich (UZH), Switzerland

Assist. Prof. Dr. Paweena Thuwanut, Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand

 

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Christiani Andrade Amorim                  Email: christiani.amorim@uclouvain.be 

 

Tags
NANOTECHNOLOGIES