Online seminar  /  September 27, 2022, 3:00 pm – 4:15 p.m. CET

Automated Differentiation of Stem Cells

Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint disease worldwide, affecting more than 25 percent of the adult population and causing pain and progressive loss of joint function and mobility by progressive cartilage degeneration. Regenerative medicine (RM) offers novel opportunities in this area: With the help of stem cells, which are able to differentiate into different cell types, human tissue can be mimicked and patients‘ recoveries can be paved. To increase productivity, improve cell quality and provide greater availability of regenerative therapies, automated solutions for the cultivation and differentiation of stem cells are required.

At Fraunhofer IPT, we have been involved in research in the field of automated stem cell production for many years. In the "JointPromise" project, we are developing an automated manufacturing platform to produce functional joint implants. Here, we have designed and implemented end-to-end platform for cell seeding and subsequent chondrocyte differentiation that serve as building blocks for biomimetic joint implants. "JointPromise" aims to mix the potent chondrogenic cells with a carrier bioink to produce joint tissue implants that mimick and regenerate native cartilage tissue in a 3D bioprinting process. The resulting implant could provide a new treatment approach for osteoarthritis in addition to conventional long-term pharmacotherapy and end-stage joint replacement surgery.

About the seminar

The online seminar will provide an overview of the current state of research in laboratory automation, starting with biological fundamentals of stem cell cultivation and differentiation and ending with overcome deficits of manual production procedures. Practical use cases will also be presented, along with the challenges and trends in automated stem cell production and differentiation.

Finally, all participants can ask individual questions. In addition, the speakers will also be available after the seminar as contact persons for in-depth questions.

Suitable for

Biotechnologists, pharmaceutical companies, medical technology and implant manufacturers for joint implants, universities involved in stem cell research and differentiation (biotech, medtech, pharma)

Key facts

  • Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 3:00 p.m - 4:15 p.m. CET
  • Participation fee: free of charge
  • Number of participants: at least 5
  • Implementation: Microsoft Teams