The University's School of Engineering, Design and Technology, and Advanced Gel Technology Ltd (AGT), a University spin-off company, are developing a cartilage repair gel to improve the quality of life for people suffering with medical joint trouble.

The £135,000 project, funded partly by AGT and partly by Yorkshire Forward, began three years ago.

While the gel is not at clinical trial stage yet, the university and AGT are confident that it can help hundreds of people.

Unlike most other parts of the body, cartilage cannot be repaired easily meaning that most joint sufferers need to undergo major invasive surgery to replace the joint.

Joint replacements last around 10-15 years and revising them is difficult, which means surgery is generally only recommended for age groups where the replacement will last them the rest of their life.

Treating patients who need surgery with the alternative hydrogel therapy would mean a much less invasive procedure could be adopted, which could postpone the necessity for joint replacement surgery for at least five years.