• Human Chondrocyte Biology & Cartilage Tissue Engineering

These research activities are based on two different approaches: on the one hand the attempt to improve the in vitro manufacturing and engineering of mature cartilage and osteochondral grafts for clinical application and on the other hand, experimental investigations towards novel intra-operative procedures.

• Chondrocyte response to environmental factors

• Investigation of nasal chondrocytes as alternative cell source

• Chondrocyte - mesenchymal progenitor cells interactions

• Intervertebral disc regeneration

• Mesenchymal Progenitor Cell Biology & Bone Tissue Engineering

The program brings together different approaches towards the use of osteoprogenitor cells and suitable scaffolds for the generation of 3D osteogenic/ osteoinductive constructs. These systems are considered both as experimental models for basic research or as graft for clinical application.

• Mesenchymal progenitor cell biology

• Engineering osteogenic & vasculogenic grafts

• Endochondral bone formation

• Bioreactor-based cartilage and bone graft manufacturing

Bioreactor-based strategies will likely play a key role in the translation of Tissue Engineering technologies from the bench to the bedside, not only by improving the clinical efficacy of the engineered graft, but by establishing the basis of a streamlined and cost-effective manufacturing process, compliant with the evolving regulatory framework in terms of quality control and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.

• Perfusion bioreactor-based engineering of cartilage grafts

• Perfusion bioreactor-based generation of osteoinductive grafts

• Innovative bioreactor for Tissue culture under perfusion

• Compression bioreactor for metallic implants

• Advanced bioreactor-based 3D in vitro model systems

Living tissues are intrinsically of 3D nature and are comprised of heterotypic cell populations, which interact with each other and with their extracellular matrix (ECM). Our research activities are currently focusing to the utilisation of bioreactor systems for the development of advanced 3D in vitro models able to capture the complexity of living organs in order to study human tissue’s physiology and pathology.

• Tumor model
• Bone organ model
• Thymus model
• Hematopoietic stem cell niche

• Clinical translation

• The group has set up a quality management system for the manufacture of autologous cellular transplants which is accredited by the Swissmedic (license valid until 2015)

Main contributors: A. Barbero, S. Feliciano, A. Marsano, S. Miot, A. Wixmerten, F. Wolf

• First patients have been treated in a Phase I clinical trial with tissue engineered nasal cartilage grafts for reconstruction of the alar lobule following tumour resection. The trial, performed in cooperation with the Clinic of Plastic Surgery at the University Hospital Basel, has been approved by the ethical committee and swissmedic and further patients are being recruited.

Main clinical contributors: I. Fulco, M. Haug, M.Jakob, D.Schaefer

• A proposal for a phase I clinical trial using tissue engineered nasal cartilage grafts for the regeneration of articular cartilage in the knee after traumatic injuries has been submitted to the ethical committee. Patients are planned to be recruited from the Trauma Surgery & Orthopaedic Surgery Clinics (University Hospital Basel), the Kantonsspital Bruderholz and the Crossclinic in Basel.

Main clinical contributors: M. Arnold, I. Fulco, M. Haug, M. Jakob, M. Mumme, D. Schaefer, C. Scotti, V. Valderrabano

• A proposal for a phase I clinical study aimed at assessing the efficacy of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells in the treatment of osteoporotic humeral fractures has been submitted to the ethical committee.

Main clinical contributors: M. Jakob, A.Mehrkens, A. Müller, F. Saxer, D.Schaefer

• The protocols for a clinical trial on the repair of osteochondral defects using engineered osteochondral constructs are in preparation.

Main clinical contributors: M. Barandun, M. Jakob, D. Schaefer, C. Scotti, V. Valderrabano