Research

The center deals with questions of musculoskeletal medicine and related subjects. We have a broad expertise in the following areas:

• Development of biomaterials and scaffolds for tissue replacement and tissue engineering
• 3D printing of biomaterials and biofabrication/bioprinting
• Mesenchymal stem cells (isolation from different tissues, cultivation, differentiation)
• Bone, cartilage and tendon tissue engineering
• Co-culture models (e.g. osteoblasts, osteoclast and osteocyte co-cultures)
• Vascularization and angiogenesis
• Cell culture techniques (perfusion culture, cell cultivation with external, e.g. mechanical stimuli)
• Histological preparation of hard and soft tissues
• Small and large animal models (mouse, rat, pig, sheep).

The task of the centre is the investigation and ultimately establishment of new regenerative therapy concepts, especially for bone defects of critical size or those in systemically diseased or otherwise pre-damaged patients for whom still no adequate treatment options are available. In addition, we are looking for new solutions for articular cartilage and osteochondral defects and biomaterials for ligament and tendon replacement. Other projects are concerned with the reconstruction of complex tissues (including soft tissue), such as those needed for reconstructive and plastic surgery.

The staff of the Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research work on issues of both basic and applied research. Ultimately, however, all projects should contribute to developing new therapy options for clinical translation. All research projects of the centre are financed by external funding sources.