The first ever colonoscopic bio-implant able to recreate the intestinal mucosa and submucosa and avoid surgical removal of the colon and rectum in patients with ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. The revolutionary device will be realised over the next four years thanks to Tentacle, a European project starting in January 2025 that includes the E. Piaggio Research Centre of the University of Pisa.
Colorectal diseases are common worldwide and currently affect about 2.2 million people in Europe. They include ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. People affected by these diseases often undergo a proctocolectomy, a very invasive surgical procedure that involves the removal of the end of the colon and rectum and has a serious impact on quality of life.
To remedy this scenario, the TENTACLE project aims to develop an innovative and customised strategy to replace proctocolectomy with the regeneration of mucous and submucous tissue.
University of Pisa's Team
“The colonoscopic bioprinter that we intend to design and build,” explains Professor Giovanni Vozzi of the University of Pisa, “will be able to operate directly inside the intestine through a minimally invasive procedure. The device will be enhanced by an artificial intelligence system that will monitor the print quality and adapt the procedure to the needs of the individual patient. TENTACLE will also develop cutting-edge biomaterials with advanced properties, such as the ability to change shape over time to mimic intestinal morphology and to release antibiotic and antibacterial agents in a controlled and gradual manner”.
TENTACLE is financed by the European Union under the HORIZON Health 2024 research and innovation programme. The planned funding is just under €8 million (€7555750), of which approximately one million will be allocated to the E. Piaggio Research Centre of the University of Pisa.
The project consortium consists of ten academic and industrial partners. The University of Pisa is joined by the University of Würzburg (Germany) as project coordinator, the University of Ghent (Belgium), the University of Turin and the Politecnico di Torino. In addition, there are four industrial partners, supported by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità Italiano, which will provide the consortium with the experience and expertise needed to translate the results into cutting-edge products close to patients and the market: ADBioink (Turkey), ThioMatrix (Austria), BeWarrant (Belgium), Scinus Cell Expansion Netherland B.V. (Netherlands).