Our approach
We work successfully since 1995 in the Tissue Engineering field. The continuously advancing findings from basic research and own research activities result in a persistent modification and refinement of our production techniques and products for applied research and clinical application. We are confident that functional bioartificial tissues with identical capacities like natural tissues only can be generated by co-culture techniques (simultaneous culture of two or more different cell types). The realization of that approach results in very complex and technically laborious production techniques, which can only be realized in collaboration of numerous specialists from the medicine, natural science, and engineering science.
Complex tissues
Organs are made up of various tissues, and tissues are composed of different cell types. The various cell types in one tissue all contribute to the specific tissue functions and –properties. A bioartificial tissue can not be reduced to the function of one particular cell type, since the function of each constiuent cell is influenced by neighbouring cells and the extracellular environment that is produced by these cells (microenvironment).
To generate functional bioartificial tissues, that correspond morphologically and biochemically with natural tissues, it is essential to identify the interactions between the various cell types in one tissue. Than, the culture-conditions have to be adjusted accordingly to achieve optimal culture-conditions that promote cell growth and cell and tissue differentiation. This is accomplished amongst others by co-cultivation of various cell types participating in the formation of one tissue. Since the different applied cell types often require unequal culture conditions to survive and proliferate outside the body, the employment of several cell types to generate a bioartificial tissue results in very complex production-techniques, causing the development of new test- and therapy procedures taking 2 to 5 years:
- For every tissue type a specific carrier structure (Matrix) has to be developed.
- The matrix has to be suitable for all applied cell types.
- The different cell types have to be seeded on the matrix according to their specific requirements either simultaneously (synchronous) or successively (metachronous).
- Occasionally different cell types in one bioartificial tissue have to be supplied by different culture media at the same time.
Interdisciplinary approach
In Basic Research biologists, bichemical engineers and physicians amplify our understanding of cell- and tissue-functions. These insights are implemented during tissue generation with the support of application engineers, physicists and cyberneticists in even more complex cultivation- and production procedures.
Due to the resulting high technical and personal requirements for cell- and tissue cultivation the „Try-and-Error“ approach of the Tissue Engineering beginnings during the development and modification of production techniques is increasingly supplemented by computer-based virtual cultivation models (Simulations), that are developed in collaboration with computer scientists. Thusly we are able to improve existing tissue-culture techniques and to develop new engineering processes following virtual simulation and optimization more effectively and cost-saving.
Simulatenously, application engineers and computer scientists are engaged in the standardization and the automation of the applied production techniques to make them accessible for applied research laboratories and the industry.