Excalibur Fund

“Our body has an impressive ability to repair damage. Think of a cut in your finger or a child with a broken leg. But when the damage is extensive, for example due to a sports or car accident, a tumor or a chronic condition, the self-healing capacity of the body is not strong enough and it needs a helping hand. The Excalibur Fund for regenerative medicine supports research into innovative therapies for damaged body parts in order to maintain the quality of life for everyone, from young to old.” – Prof. Pamela Habibovic, director MERLN

Cutting edge technology in regenerative medicine
The human body has an impressive capacity for self-recovery but sometimes its repair mechanisms fall short and help is needed to fix the damage from aging or injury. This can be accomplished by using materials such as artificial heart valves, dental implants or fillers to repair bone fractures. Technological developments in the last 30 years have led to many new applications and the possibilities for the future are almost endless. For example, stem cells are now being used to repair tissue damage and the development of artificial organs is currently undergoing extensive research. At the MERLN Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University, we are working on developing these types of new applications and we can use your support!

Our research
Research at MERLN focuses on the development of new and groundbreaking technologies to promote the recovery and regeneration of the human body. Our strategy includes the development of “smart” biomaterials that can stimulate the body’s tissue repair mechanisms to repair damage. MERLN scientists have an extensive network of colleagues at research institutions in the Netherlands and abroad, as well as with biomedical companies, including their own spin-off companies. These connections help us to conduct research at the highest level. With the Excalibur Fund, we can give this research an extra boost.

Education and outreach
Since the establishment of the MERLN Institute in 2014, we have obtained a leading position in the field of regenerative medicine by combining creative research with the training of interdisciplinary scientists. In addition to science, MERLN devotes a great deal of time to teaching university students in order to provide the researchers of the future with all the skills they need to perform excellent science. We also regularly involve the general public in our activities through outreach activities such as lectures, information days and visits to primary and secondary schools.

Advisory committee
Spending by the Excalibur Fund for scientific research envisaged will be assessed by a committee of experts affiliated to the fund. The members of the committee are Prof. Pamela Habibovic (Director MERLN), Prof. Lorenzo Moroni (department head MERLN), Prof. Roman Truckenmüller (group leader MERLN) and Prof. Clemens van Blitterswijk (innovation consultant and UM distinguished professor).

How can you support this fund?
Your support is greatly appreciated. If you would like to contribute to the Excalibur Fund and its scientific mission, please click the donation button below. Alternatively, you can deposit your contribution to the bank account of the University Fund Limburg/SWOL, IBAN: NL21 INGB 0653 6632 42, stating “Excalibur Fund”.

Would you like more information about this fund?
For more information about the research performed with the donations to the Excalibur Fund, please visit the MERLN Institute website: www.merlninstitute.com. For any specific questions about the fund or our research, please email Dr. Dennie Hebels (d.hebels@maastrichtuniversity.nl).

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