Tiny molecules, big impact: latest research project funded by AO CMF Start-up grant

The AO CMF Start-up research grant is empowering researchers to transform ideas into research projects with promoting experimental and clinical research across the CMF spectrum, aiming to generate new findings and translate them into improved clinical care worldwide. One such project, miR4CMF, led by Dr. Maria Inês Almeida, is a prime example of how this funding enables groundbreaking work in craniomaxillofacial care.

Research project details

Project no: AOCMFS-21-23A
Project title: microRNAs: new tools for craniomaxillofacial bone repair
Acronymous:miR4CMF
Investigator: Maria Inês Almeida (PI)
Start date of the project: 1/12/2021
End date:31/06/2025

Through AO CMF funding, Dr. Almeida’s team has explored microRNA-engineered stem cells to enhance bone repair. While the scientific details are complex, the grant’s role was clear: it allowed the project to move from concept to preclinical validation, opening doors for future therapies that could improve patient outcomes, reduce complications, and advance CMF surgery techniques.
The project focused on inhibiting miR-195 to enhance the production of a bone-friendly extracellular matrix (ECM), with the goal of improving osteogenesis and vascularization in challenging bone defects. The team also investigated the long non-coding RNA H19 to expand the molecular toolkit for CMF regeneration.

Publications and presentations resulting from this research project

Published article:
Moura, S.R., Freitas, J., Ribeiro-Machado, C. et al. Long non-coding RNA H19 regulates matrisome signature and impacts cell behavior on MSC-engineered extracellular matrices. Stem Cell Res Ther14, 37 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-023-03250-6

Presentations:
-Cortez MM. Transcriptome sequencing unveils novel miR-195 targets associated to MSC differentiation and proliferation. IJUP May 2023. Porto, Portugal (oral communication)
-S.R. Moura, M.M. Cortez, S.G. Santos, C. Cunha, M.I. Almeida. Delivery of miR-195-antagonists into human MSC promotes bone matrix deposition. 30thPorto Cancer Meeting: RNA biology. May 2024. Porto, Portugal (poster communication)
-M.I. Almeida. RNA Therapeutics: Pioneering the Future of Biomedicine through Non-Coding RNAs. 6th Medical Technology congress. May 2024 (oral communication)
-Moura SR, Cortez MM, Brandao I, Alencastre I, Santos SG, Cunha C, Almeida MI.miR-195 Antagonists: Molecular Architects of Regeneration MOBILIsE 1st Symposium in Molecular Bioengineering. “Immunoengineering: from moleculesto biomaterials and cell therapies”. June 2025 (abstract accepted for oral communication)

Award:
M.M. Cortez, S. R. Moura, M. I. Almeida.microRNAs to engineer the expression of osteogenic-related genes. (oral communication, XIV Symposium on Bioengineering, on the March 19th 2023, Best 
communication award), Thesis Mafalda de Montenegro Cortez. Potential of miR-195 for Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells-based Osteoregenerative Therapies. Master in Molecular Bioengineering. October 2023.ICBAS, University of Porto.

AO research grants

AO Foundation and AO CMF research grants are more than financial support—they are a catalyst for innovation in craniomaxillofacial (CMF) care. By funding high-potential projects like miR4CMF, AO CMF enables early-career clinician-scientists to transform cutting-edge ideas into practical, translational research.