A02 | Hyaluronic acid based hydrogel platform with multi-functional cross-linkers for the controlled differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Hyaluronic acid (HyA) represents a major component of the human extracellular matrix, however, so far highly versatile HyA-based materials for biofabrication are lacking. The overall aim of this project is, to develop a HyA-based bioink platform utilizing branched multi-functional cross-linkers (PEG, polyglycidol) that enables the controlled differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The modification with peptides and growth factors will add further biofunctionality to the printed 3D constructs in order to improve chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation of the stem cells. For the long term, this work aims to generate bioinks for the development of clinically relevant tissue models.

Prof. Dr. Torsten Blunk
Dr. habil. Jörg Teßmar

Prof. Dr. Torsten Blunk

University Hospital Würzburg, Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Contact: torsten.blunk@fmz.uni-wuerzburg.de

Dr. habil Jörg Tessmar

University Hospital Würzburg, Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry
Contact: joerg.tessmar@fmz.uni-wuerzburg.de

Leonard Forster

Previous academic education: Bachelor Thesis – 2015; Master Thesis – 2017
Academic Advisor within SFB/TRR 225:  PD Dr. Jörg Teßmar
Location: University of Würzburg, Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry
Topic of thesis: Hyaluronic acid based bioinks for bio-fabrication of mesenchymal stem cells
Main techniques and methodologies to be used: Synthesis, Gelation, Rheometry, 3D Bioprinting

Contact: leonard.forster@fmz.uni-wuerzburg.de

Julia Martini

Previous academic education: Biochemistry M. Sc.
Academic Advisor within SFB/TRR 225:  Prof. Dr. Torsten Blunk
Location: University Hospital Würzburg, Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Topic of thesis: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels for Biofabrication to control Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Main techniques and methodologies to be used: 2D/3D Tissue Culture, Histology, IHC, Microscopy, qRT-PCR, quantitative DNA- and ECM-Assays, FACS, Western Blotting

Contact: Martini_J@ukw.de

Stefanie Schmidt

Previous academic education: Biochemistry M. Sc.
Academic Advisor within SFB/TRR 225:  Prof. Dr. Torsten Blunk
Location: University Hospital Würzburg, Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Topic of thesis: Analysis of cell behavior in different 3D hydrogel models for chondrogenic differentiation.
Main techniques and methodologies to be used: 2D/3D Tissue Culture, Histology, IHC, Microscopy, qRT-PCR, quantitative DNA- and ECM-Assays, FACS, Western Blotting

Contact: Schmidt_S5@ukw.de

Schmidt S, Mancini IAD, Boeck T, Abinzano F, Mensinga A, Martini J, Tessmar J, van Weeren PR, Malda J, Groll J, Levato R, Blunk T (2018) Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Articular Cartilage Progenitor Cells in a 3D Printable Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel, Annual Conference of the International Society for Biofabrication (ISBF), 28-31 October 2018 (Würzburg, Germany).