Tissue Engineering

The recovery of damaged tissues and organs with the help of tissue engineering (TE) is a relatively young field of regenerative medicine. A promising strategy for generating functional biological replacement tissues is the imitation of the micro-environment of the biological system. The use of components of the extracellular matrix, techniques for the manufacture of two- and three-dimensional scaffolding structures as well as technologies for generating biomechanical and physiological impacts are therefore the main focuses of the cell-biological research of the department. Scientific activities focus on the following topics:

  • Preservation and recovery respectively of the biological functions of soft tissues

  • Vascularisation of TE constructs

  • Manufacture of cell-loaded 3D tissues

  • Development of colonisation strategies

  • Generation of in vitro model systems for toxicological tests

Various techniques and technologies are used for the investigations, e. g.:

  • 3D printing of collagen-based inks

  • Bioprinting

  • Microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip systems

  • Technologies for the application of mechanical forces on cells (cell elongation)

  • Scaffolds, spheroids, cell sheets

In addition, typical routine investigations are characterisation of the cytocompatibility of medical products or determination of the endotoxin content.