Start of funding 01.01.2011

Identifying cellular organization within tissue engineered cartilage by molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

PD Dr. Goetz H. Welsch
Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

Prof. Dr. Robert L. Sah
University of California, San Diego
Cartilage Tissue Engineering Lab



Sophisticated surgical techniques for the treatment of cartilage defects with different tissue engineered approaches require high quality follow-up. In addition to conventional morphological MRI, functional MRI is a novel approach for a molecular analysis of tissue ultra-structure. At the University of Erlangen, a variety of animal models are being prepared on different bioregenerative approaches in cartilage repair. Using special MR scanners, coils and advanced MR techniques, these animals can be imaged in-vivo and in-vitro and furthermore basic histological evaluation can be performed. At the University of California San Diego, cartilage samples of these animal models can be processed and the biomechanical properties of the engineered reparative cartilage tissue can be quantified using unique approaches, where three-dimensional visualization of biomechanical cartilage properties can be obtained.