Main Areas of Work

Laser-based, three-dimensional ordering of vital cells for the generation of defined cell constructs and tissue
Laser-supported generation of three-dimensional scaffolds for biomedical applications using the rapid prototyping process two-photon polymerization (2PP)

The Group Biofabrication investigates laser-based techniques to generate three dimensional biological tissue (Tissue Engineering). Scaffold-based and scaffold-free processes are being examined (a scaffold is a three-dimensional structure for cells). The long-term goal is to be able to generate substitute tissue for transplants from the patients own cells (autolog). Furthermore artificially generated vital tissue could bring new knowledge to the fields of medicine and biology and thus make animal testing obsolete.

Current scientific work and projects

Research is taking place in an interdisciplinary framework in the DFG-Excellency Cluster „From regenerative Biology to reconstructive Therapy - REBIRTH“, in close cooperation with the Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover (Hannover Medical School) and the Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover (Hannover Veterinarian School), and the Leibniz Universität Hannover and other research institutions.

Research group „Nanosurfaces“ of the DFG excellency cluster REBIRTH
Research group „Biological Laser Printing“ des of the DFG excellency cluster REBIRTH
Development of complex, three-dimensional cellular matrix constructs using laser-induced transfer methods in the subproject A4 „Laser-induced forward movement of biomaterials“ of the DFG-Sonderforschungsbereich Transregio 37 „Mikro- und Nanosysteme in der Medizin“/DFG-Special Research Area Transregio 37 „Micro- and Nanosystems in Medicine“
Generation and microstructuring of biodegradable, three-dimensional matrices for synthesizing bioartificial blood vessel protheses in the subproject C1 „Bioartificial blood vessels“ in the DFG-Special Research Area Transregio 37 „Micro- and Nanosystems in Medicine“

Laser-based cell transfer: On the bottom side of the upper glass plate is a thin, laser absorbing layer. Under that is a gel layer containing the cells. The laser pulses are focused through the glass plated into the absorption layer, which vaporize in the focus. The vapor accelerates the gel under the glass plate. By moving the glass plate and the laser, it is possible to build up a layer for layer three-dimensional cell pattern.

3-D scaffold, made using the 2PP process with a Zirkonium-Hybrid, with a porosity of 80% near one of the natural extra-cellular matrices.