GCU Gets €5 million Grant For Commercial Production Of Orthopaedic Implants

News Desk

Lahore: The Government College University (GCU) Lahore has received a huge grant of five million euros from German Science Foundation for the development and commercial production of low-cost orthopaedic implants in Pakistan. The grant involves funding for the National Center of Excellence on biomaterial materials science and tissue engineering, which will be established at GCU Lahore.

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Syed Asghar Zaidi chaired the 67th Syndicate meeting of the University, and approved the project and establishment of the National Center of Excellence and the associated academic department, which will offer BS, MS, and Ph.D programs in materials science engineering, biomaterials and tissue engineering.

Principal Investigator (PI) of the project, Dr. Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman, told that the German project, titled “Low-cost bioactive glass-based composite coatings for orthopaedic implants,” aims to use state-of-the-art 3D printing technology to fabricate different types of orthopaedic implants, such as bone plates and screws, coated with bioactive glasses.

The 3D printed implants will address the issue of corrosion and uncontrolled release of toxic metal ions from current stainless steel and titanium-based implants. Bioactive glasses can be doped with different ions for therapeutic benefits and improved tissue regeneration. DrAtiq and his team have also researched the use of natural herbs for skin regeneration.

Vice Chancellor said the project aims to make implants more affordable for the low-income population. The current orthopaedic implants in Pakistan can be expensive, and are susceptible to corrosion and toxic metal ion release. The cost of imported implants can reach 70,000 rupees, making them unaffordable for many in our country.

The Syndicate also approved nine other projects worth Rs. 587 million, including the development of a comprehensive Campus Management System, the upgrading of 130 classrooms to smart classrooms, the renovation of the Stephenson Natural History Museum, the establishment of a centralised life sciences lab, construction of a new sports gym, and the solarisation of the main campus and the new campus.