The main goal of our research is the in vivo construction of an autologous skin substitute that ideally approximates the qualities of human skin and that can be used in procedures of skin replacement in reconstructive and plastic surgery.

>> Project 1 Engineering autologous dermo-epidermal skin composites in vitro		Our goal is to develop autologous dermo-epidermal skin composites (full thickness skin analogues) that can be used clinically to cover skin defects of any origin in one single surgical intervention. To achieve that we are testing different biodegradable matrices which serve as scaffolds with regard to their population by keratinocytes, melanocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Additionally, we are creating genetically engineered allogeneic fibroblasts overexpressing and releasing biologically active molecules (such as certain members of the Wnt family).
>> Project 2 Identifying and maintaining the epidermal stem cell compartment		Here the aim is to develop a skin analogue that contains a functional stem cell compartment. The identification of the stem cell enriched side population (SP) has already been accomplished in our laboratory using a dye exclusion technique based on the function of membrane pumps of the ABC transporter family (also known as BCRP or MXR). Using the keratinocyte SP fraction and an appropriate extracellular scaffold as well as combinations of growth factors, we try to create a dermo-epidermal environment that will allow the establishment and maintenance of stem cells in vitro.
>> Project 3 Accelerating vascularization in skin composites		We hypothesize that a cultured skin graft pre-vascularized in vitro allows for a more rapid and competent connection to the patients vascular system after transplantation. The rationale underlying this assumption is based on the fact that full and split thickness skin grafts rapidly connect to the vessels of the wound bed and usually survive after transplantation. We are presently modulating the organotypic assembly of autologous human microvascular endothelial cells (HuMECs) and smooth muscle cells (mural cells) to achieve efficient capillary formation (tubulogenesis).