The University of Liverpool is leading a major €8.6m (£7m) EU-funded research project to tackle a growing medical challenge affecting thousands of cancer survivors: medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).
The new project, GreenNanoBone, aims to prevent and treat this severe condition using innovative, AI-optimised biomaterials derived from plant-based food waste. Over the next four years, the interdisciplinary initiative will develop cutting-edge, sustainable technologies to regenerate damaged tissue, while promoting a circular economy in healthcare.
MRONJ is a serious side effect of bone-targeting agents (BTAs) such as bisphosphonates, which are commonly used to prevent bone metastases in breast, prostate, and lung cancer patients. In some cases, these life-extending medications cause progressive destruction of the jawbone, leading to chronic pain, infections, and difficulty eating. The condition affects an estimated 6,000 people each year across the EU and UK, and as cancer survival rates improve, that number is rising.
Current MRONJ treatments are limited, often relying on long-term antibiotics that can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. GreenNanoBone offers a new approach: developing minimally invasive, precise therapies that encourage bone and soft tissue regeneration.
At the heart of the project are 4D hydrogels - biocompatible, bioactive, and antimicrobial materials that can be injected or 3D-printed directly into affected areas. These materials will be sustainably sourced from residual potato pulp and other plant-based waste from the food industry and optimised using artificial intelligence to meet stringent medical safety and manufacturing standards.
Beyond treating MRONJ, this innovative platform has the potential to benefit patients with osteoporosis and complex bone fractures - all while reducing the environmental impact of medical innovation.
Dr Katarzyna Gurzawska-Comis, from the University of Liverpool's School of Dentistry and project coordinator said: "With GreenNanoBone, we're not just addressing an urgent clinical need - we're rethinking how novel medical solutions can be developed in an effective, sustainable, and socially responsible way.
"We're combining regenerative medicine with AI, while also integrating social science and health economics to ensure broad impact and real-world viability. With our unique approach, we hope to inspire other businesses to explore the natural world for sustainable solutions."
The project brings together 18 partners across Europe, spanning disciplines from chemistry and biology to clinical research, social science, and health economics. At the University of Liverpool, experts from the Faculties of Health and Life Sciences and Science and Engineering are playing key roles.
GreenNanoBone exemplifies the goals of Horizon Europe, aligning with multiple strategic clusters:
- Cluster 1: Health - Addressing unmet medical needs in oncology
- Cluster 5: Climate, Energy, and Mobility - Advancing climate-neutral, bio-based manufacturing
- Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, and Environment - Transforming agricultural waste into high-value medical solutions
By turning food industry by-products into cutting-edge biomaterials, GreenNanoBone supports Europe's Green Transition, with a "design for circularity" approach that promotes clean, scalable medical production methods.
