Gelatine scaffold, blue fluorescent (Hoechst 33342), populated with human ASC´s (adipose-derived stem cells) in green (Calcein AM)

3-D scaffold, generated via 2PP from a Zirconium hybrid, with a porosity of 80%, close to that of the natural extracellular matrix

Laser-based cell transfer: On the lower side of the upper glass plate is a thin, laser absorbing layer and below that, a gel layer with cells. Laser pulses are focused through the glass plate into the absorbing layer, which is vaporized in the focal point. The vapor pressure accelerates the gel onto the lower glass plate. The relative position of the glass plates to the laser can be used to create a layer-by-layer, three-dimensional cell pattern

Work of the group focusses on:

• Laser-based generation of structures (scaffolds) from biocompatible materials for tissue engineering using two-photon-polymerization
• Replication of these structures from biological materials via molding
• “Printing” of living cells in specific patterns for investigations on cell-cell and cell-environment interaction
• Three-dimensional cell “printing” to generate biological tissue

Current scientific work and projects:

• RG „Nanosurfaces“ in the Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH (DFG) and subproject C1 „Bioartificial Vascular Prosthesis“ in Transregio SFB 37 (DFG)
  • Use of biological materials (collagens, fibrin, gelatin, etc.) for two-photon-polymerization (2PP) and molding
  • Development of non-toxic photo-initiators and their use with biocompatible or biological materials for 2PP
  • Optimization of the 2PP process, especially concerning process time
  • Investigation of the cell behavior on and in 3-D structures (scaffolds) made with the 2PP process or molding, for example colonization, proliferation, differentiation of stem cells
• RG „Biological Laser Printing“ in the Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH (DFG) and subproject A4 „Laser-induced forwards transfer of biomaterials“ in Transregio SFB 37 (DFG)
  • Testing of various hydrogels for „printing“ cell-based systems
  • Generation of two- and three-dimensional multicellular arrays for investigations on the mutual influence of different cells at a defined distance
  • “Printing” of vital cells in complex, three-dimensional patterns as a tissue reproduction (tissue engineering)
  • Investigation of cell behavior in “printed” 3-D structures