GAP: a training and patient-oriented mission.
GAP MSCA Project envisions novel pathways for addressing the fragility fracture crisis from a multi-scale perspective, including patient-specific preventive and advanced treatment solutions.
The rising incidence of fragile bone fractures, known as fragility fractures, is causing significant concerns in European countries. This issue is driven by factors like increasing life expectancy and the prevalence of conditions like osteoporosis. These fractures are associated with substantial impacts on healthcare systems and finances, including and enormous psycho-social burden for the hospitalized patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of concern, as the virus is believed to slow down bone formation processes. Given these factors, there is an urgent need to address the fragility fracture crisis. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for effective preventive strategies. However, there are significant gaps in the scientific, technological, clinical, and educational aspects that hinder progress in tackling this issue.
GAP sphere of action.
GENDER GAP
The women number exceeding a fracture threshold is six times higher than in men
KNOWLEDGE GAP
Fracture comprehension is limited to the macro-scale, where its occurrence is catastrophic
DIAGNOSTIC GAP
Common clinical tools are inadequate interpreters of fracture risk
PREVENTION GAP
No one has exploited the power of AI tool for the detection of early fracture signs
TREATMENT GAP
The existing gold standards for bone injuries treatment have multiple limitations
TRAINING GAP
A tangible issue is the scarcity of young and highly skilled researchers
GAP Vision.
The over-arching aim of the current proposal is to educate young and talented scientists towards a combined high-level experimental and numerical approach for the early-stage accurate, precise detection and mini-invasive treatment of bone fractures, shedding some light on bone micro-scale alterations due to pathologies.
GAP Network.
GAP Partners.
GAP network gathers excellent academic centers that have decennial experience in the field of bone multi-perspective analysis, documented by scientific papers published in high impact-factor journals, and by previous EU funded research projects. These institutions offer transversal competencies in multiple fields, such as mechanics (POLIMI, TCD), biomedical engineering (TUE, TUD), computer science (IMPAN, NTNU), biological and biochemical science (EMPA, CNRS). GAP network puzzle is completed by three other essential partners: renowned research center, i.e. ELETTRA synchrotron, unique for unprecedent high-resolution images of bones, clinical (IOG) and social institutions (CATT).
GAP People.
GAP network provides a unique partnership of competitive leaders in the field of bone characterization, multi-scale experimental and numerical approaches and cutting-edge clinical applications.
GAP in Numbers.
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