The DARTBAC project will prepare the Netherlands for the time when antibiotics are much less effective in the prevention and eradication of infection due to AntiMicrobial Resistance (AMR). DARTBAC will, from a material perspective, develop new antimicrobial technologies that are not based on antibiotics to target infection prevention and eradication on implant surfaces, in hard tissues and in soft tissues and assess their safety and efficacy in in vitro and in vivo models. In this way, we are unique yet synergistic with most other initiatives that focus on an antibiotics approach. Collectively, we are bridging the entire knowledge-chain regarding development of new material technologies to combat AMR. DARTBAC will develop a new workflow based on AOPs of predictive in vitro and in vivo models to test safety and efficacy of newly developed antimicrobial technology in order to shorten the time to market. DARTBAC will enhance the therapeutic efficacy of current antibiotics by combination therapy and we will develop and validate these technologies so that they can be brought to the market within the project timeframe. Finally, we will maintain awareness of the emerging AMR problem in the Netherlands by informing the general public and HealthCare Practitioners (HCPs). This increased AMR awareness by HCPs, the general public, and healthcare policy makers can speed up acceptance and market introduction of these technologies both nationally and internationally. Moreover, such acceptance will ensure that insurance providers and advisory bodies adopt and reimburse new treatment approaches quicker, thereby accelerating clinical implementation. A successful DARTBAC project with the combination of these goals and objectives can prevent a rise in infection percentage due to AMR, minimize the effect of AMR in the Netherlands, and work towards a Dutch society that is less dependent on antibiotic therapy for infection, prevention, and treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful joint disease in which cartilage is worn away. It affects 1.5 million people in the Netherlands, costing €1.3 billion per year. In this project, we will engineer living cartilage large enough to replace a joint, thereby creating a life-long solution for people suffering from OA.

Creating and controlling 3D living objects made from materials and cells is crucial for future advances in medicine and sustainability. However, we currently face challenges in fidelity and speed that hold back innovation in healthcare and food production. To address this, a customized biofabrication toolbox is being developed that combines multiple fabrication methods and AI technologies, enabling customizable and scalable production of life/material combinations. This toolbox will enable breakthroughs in 3D models for cardiovascular disease and 3D-printed meat to advance the Netherlands position in critical economic areas.

Regenerative medicine and drug delivery have emerged as alternative to current treatments for joint injuries, which only provide limited pain relief and repair. Currently, tested materials in regenerative medicine are either synthetic or animal-derived. While the first yields toxic effects and limited mechanical properties, animal-derived tissues are costly and have a severe impact on the environment and animal welfare. Hence, there is an unmet need for the development of more effective and sustainable materials. Hereby, we propose for the first time using plant-based scaffolds as a platform for combined delivery of growth factors and cells for cartilage regeneration.