Conductive Hydrogels for Tissue Regeneration

 

Investigator: Thomas Distler (PhD student)Thomas Distler

Ulrich-Schalk-Straße 3
91056 Erlangen

room: 01.117

phone: +49(0)9131 85-69612

e-mail: thomas.distler@fau.de

 

Supervisor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Aldo R. Boccaccini

 


In the scope of the DFG Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1270 ELectrically Active ImplaNts (‘ELAINE’) led by University of Rostock, this project (ELAINE SFB 1270, Project B01) aims to investigate novel conductive hydrogels to achieve electrical stimulation of tissues. In particular, the regeneration of cartilage, osteochondral defects and bone by the help of complex hydrogel platforms combined with 3D printing techniques are in the focus of the project. One additional anatomical field where electrical signalling intuitively plays a decisive role is the nervous system. Key research goals of this project are to deepen the understanding of the material-cell interaction and the regenerative potential of electrical stimulation as well as to strive towards further knowledge about the potential of electrically active hydrogel materials acting as soft ECM-like matrices. Key collaborator in this project is Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hermann Seitz, Institute of Fluid Technology and Microfluidics, University of Rostock.