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2013|14 Annual Report Fraunhofer IGB

67 Prof. Dr. Petra Kluger, Prof. Dr. Katja Schenke-Layland Increased survival rates offered by regenerative medicine, quicker and more accurate diag- nostics using molecular-biological approaches, and coordinated interaction between medical implants and their physiological environment are scientific trends which improve healthcare provision and reduce costs. In the Medicine business area at the Fraunhofer IGB, we frequently work on interdisciplinary projects, addressing topics in the areas of tissue engineering, regen- erative medicine, immunology, infection biology, diagnostics, and the “biologization” of estab- lished medical products. The focus of regenerative therapies is on the development of human in-vitro test systems and biologized implants that can be individualized through the use of the patient’s own cells. The Fraunhofer IGB covers the entire value-added chain right up to GMP-compliant manufactur- ing of cell-based implants (advanced therapy medicinal products or “ATMPs”) and – together with a network of physicians – phase I clinical studies. The Fraunhofer IGB will expressly make the experience and competence gained through these studies available to small and medium- size enterprises. To promote the role of tissue engineering products in healthcare, we have developed a GMP-conform plant for the standardized, fully automated in-vitro manufacture of skin through a joint Fraunhofer research project financed by the Fraunhofer-Zukunftsstiftung (Fraunhofer Future Foundation). New scientific strategies to combat infectious diseases are a high priority. Thanks to the vari- ous array technologies and a high-throughput sequencing method, as well as human tissue models it has developed on the basis of its own patents, the Fraunhofer IGB is in a position to elucidate host-pathogen interaction and make targets available for new anti-infectives. We develop new diagnostic methods based on nucleic acids (diagnostic microarrays, biomarker development using high-throughput DNA sequencing) or that utilize cellular reporter systems (cell-based pyrogen assay). This information can be used to institute measures for specific treat- ments or to develop personalized drugs for different population groups. A further focal point, enabled by the interdisciplinary collaboration at the Fraunhofer IGB, is the optimization of surface properties of established medical devices such as tracheal stents and contact lenses. This is achieved primarily by using plasma processes to generate bioactive or antibacterial surfaces; we then proceed to test the effectiveness and biocompatibility of these surfaces on in-vitro tissue models. Furthermore, we make a contribution to preventive healthcare through the development of processing techniques and methods for hygienization and pasteurization that preserve the foodstuff’s original properties. MEDICINE

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