TRANSLATION OF (OSTEO)CHONDRAL REGENERATIVE STRATEGIES: From nature's design to the equine model

This thesis focuses on the development of translational strategies for (osteo)chondral repair of articular defects by refining the equine model and studying the osteochondral tissues’ template. By investigating the fundamental biology of the osteochondral unit across more than 40 mammalian species, the way how the unit’s different components cope with loading are better understood. The identification and understanding of these mechanisms are fundamental for designing a successful strategy for osteochondral repair. The translation of promising in vitro regenerative strategies for defect repair towards the preclinical equine model is hampered by the lack of effective and reliable fixation strategies of implants. This thesis addresses this issue, thereby refining the model, through transitioning from a chondral approach to a more complex strategy, involving an advanced composite scaffold for the repair of large osteochondral defects.