Research

Our mission is to passionately translate our basic scientific discoveries into improved nonsurgical and surgical therapies in orthopaedics. Based on clinical needs, we are developing molecular therapies for the treatment of osteoarthritis, focal cartilage defects in non-osteoarthritic joints, meniscus, subchondral bone and tendon/ligament and other soft tissue lesions using highly effective gene transfer technologies and tissue engineering. Our research explores the complex interactions within musculoskeletal disease processes by developing advanced spatiotemporal models of cartilage defects and osteoarthritis that we use to understand and to investigate new strategies to regenerate musculoskeletal tissues to restore their original functionality.

These experimental therapeutic strategies complement the different clinical treatments for articular cartilage defects, meniscus lesions and osteoarthritis which are offered in the outpatient clinic at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery by the chair, Prof. Dr. med. Henning Madry. Thus, as clinicians and scientists, we use the most recent advancements in science to help our patients, conducting research at an internationally competitive level that is inspired by the clinical needs of our patients that we serve with our work.

Our research is conducted in close cooperation with local, national, and international collaborators, embedded in the "Cartilage Net of the Greater Region" and funded by the European Union (EU), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Deutsche Arthrose-Hilfe, the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), the Alexander-von-Humboldt Stiftung, the AO Foundation, and the Deutschsprachige Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Arthroskopie (AGA), and other generous sponsors. We have a unique combination of experimental and clinical expertise, with strengths in progenitor and differentiated cell biology, immunology, pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, and development of novel therapeutics.

Historically, the Chair of Experimental Orthopaedics and Osteoarthritis Research at the Saarland University was established in 2009 as the first Chair of Experimental Orthopaedics in Germany with strong support of the Deutsche Arthrose-Hilfe. The Institute of Experimental Orthopaedics and Osteoarthritis Research is committed to the pursuit of scientific excellence by to fostering a free and open atmosphere that nurtures creativity, innovation, and diversity of thought. We are fortunate and proud to have a vibrant young and diverse team and the wonderful support from productive partnerships.

Links:

OARSI

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open

Sinpain

3R-Plattform Saar