RESEARCH

OUR 5 RESEARCH AXIS

Our approach is multidisciplinary, involving clinicians, biologists, chemists and physicists. This gives us expertise in the design of new materials/coatings based on biological components. Our know-how ranges from (bio)material design to physico-chemical characterization, biology and in vivo experimentation.

The development of new-generation implants for ENT and pediatric surgery.

The development of new larynx and trachea regeneration strategies based on hybrid materials composed of porous titanium, biopolymers, human tissue and therapeutic agents has already led to the world’s first implantation of an artificial larynx in 2013. This project is currently continuing with the improvement of these implants by using more and more « biological » components such as decellularized tissues to the detriment of synthetic materials. The treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is another theme for which it is necessary to develop adapted and personalized artificial diaphragms. On the one hand, we are developing a diaphragmatic implant adapted to the problem inherent in children’s growth, and on the other, we are looking for solutions to treat the problem of lung development in utero.

  • 1 World's first implantation of an artificial larynx at Strasbourg University Hospitals in 2013 
  • 1 ANR funding « Diapid » (2021-2025)
  • 1 Fondation Maladies Rares funding (2020-2022)
  • 1 FIMATHO « Filière Maladies Rares Abdomino Thoraciques » funding (2018-2022)
  • 1 Cancéropole Est funding « Tracheal tissue engineering »
  • 1 Institut Carnot MICA funding « Matrix Reloaded »
  • 1 clinical study in progress
  • 1 CASDEN price
  • 1 Spin-off company created, Dianosic
  • More then 40 publications
Dental tissue engineering, in particular dental pulp regeneration.

To achieve this, two points are essential: promoting local cell proliferation and differentiation, and providing antibacterial properties. We propose two approaches: the formation of electrospun fibrous membranes functionalized with tannic acid, and the use of extracellular matrix derived from Wharton’s jelly (umbilical cord).

  • 1 ANR funding « RooTRace » (2022-2024) and « ARHES » (2022-2026)
  • 2 Institut Carnot MICA fundings « Electrapulp » and « 3DPulp »
  • Collaborations with several industrial partners
  • More then 10 publications
Innovative antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral materials and coatings and their applications in implantable and non-implantable medical devices.

In particular, we are working on so-called « intelligent » materials that only exhibit an antibacterial response in the presence of pathogens. These materials are produced by supramolecular assemblies of biopolymers and peptides. A new theme, linked to current pandemics, concerns antiviral coatings.

  • 6 European projects: « Immodgel », « PANBioRA », « NanoTransmed », « AMICI », « BioTUNE », « NOVA ».
  • 4 ANR fundings « TerminAnion » (2020-2021), « SAFEST » (2021-2024), « BABE » (2022-2025) and « Phagerials » (2022-2025)
  • 1 Grand Est Region funding « ERMES »
  • 2 Institut Carnot MICA fundings « KILL-MAT », « ATHENA »
  • 2 SATT Conectus Maturation fundings « Spartha » and « ABIGAEL »
  • Collaborations with several industrial partners
  • 5 patents
  • 3 Awards: BPI Concours d'Innovation i-Lab, Fond'Action Alsace, Tremplin Institut Carnot 2022
  • 1 Spin-off company created, Spartha Medical
  • More than 30 publications
Biomimetic materials.

The aim is to design composite materials based on polydopamines, polyphenols, aminomalononitriles… which are natural molecules conferring remarkable mechanical and biological properties (antimicrobial, for example) on hydrogels, cements or other shaped materials. The assembly parameters of these molecules are inspired by what is found in nature, to enable the creation of materials with the desired properties and to meet expectations in the medical field.

  • 3 ANR funding « EASA » (2018-2023), « CASH » (2021-2025), « BIOFISS » (2021-2025)
  • 1 SATT Conectus Pre-Maturation and Maturation funding « Albupad »
  • 3 Institut Carnot MICA funding « Propolpec », « DIAART », « Matrix »
  • Collaborations with several industrial partners
  • 1 patent
  • More than 60 publications
Biofabrication using 3D printing.

Bioprinting offers promising prospects for tissue engineering. The first theme concerns the development of bioinks using microscaffolds, which are pre-functionalized and preloaded with cells, then inserted into a printable hydrogel. These microscaffolds are microspheres made from biodegradable polymers, with controlled porosities in which cells can adhere and grow. The second theme concerns the production of organoids using such methods. Organoids are currently gaining considerable momentum, particularly in the pharmaceutical sciences, where the aim is to develop and test new active molecules using screening methods. Biofabrication is a method that can be used to produce these organoids by more realistically reproducing physiological conditions.

  • 1 ANR funding « 3DBioDENT » (2023-2026)
  • 1 Funding from Fondation Maladies Rares « BioMeKid » (2022-2024)
  • 1 Région Grand Est « Impression 4d » funding
  • 1 SATT Conectus Challenge Mature PhD 2022 Award

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