Within this line of research, the Surgery Research Group investigates a wide range of subjects related to lipofilling, 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering.

Research projects

Tissue engineering in plastic surgery

Tissue engineering is a rapidly developing field in the medical world. Today still often in lab or experimental setting. Nevertheless, some in vitro techniques can be very valuable. One of these techniques is to support the fat graft with a matrix to promote survival.

• researchers: Bernard Depypere, Ann-Sophie Madelyn

Isolation of autologous endothelial cells for tissue engineering

HUVECs are used as building blocks for creating (micro) vasculature in tissue engineering. These are currently purchased non-autologous endothelial cells in our lab. However, endothelial cells can be isolated from the patient's tissue such as the dermis: human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs). This research aims to develop an efficient protocol for the isolation and culture of these endothelial cells, based on described protocols from the literature.

• researchers: Lara Benmeridja, Elisabeth De Maere, Karen Van Elewijck, Sander Vandeweege

3D bioprinting of blood vessels

By isolating ASC and endothelial cells from a resection piece of an abdominoplasty, an ideal combination of cells can be obtained for printing blood vessels with the 3D bio-printer.

• researchers: Florian Verlauwe, Oliver Knops, Thijs Huyck

Bioprinting of chondrocytes

There is a need for cartilage for various procedures within plastic surgery. Often this is taken from the rib or ear, both procedures that involve some morbidity. An attempt will be made to bridge the experience of the Orthopaedics department with the isolation of chondrocytes and our experience with the cultivation and bioprinting of cells. The ultimate goal is, in the long term, to create a source of autologous cartilage cells that can be used during all kinds of interventions (Rhinoplasty, microtia, ...).

• researchers: Tom Vyncke, Arne Burssens

Collaborations

Our department works closely with scientists from Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Experimental Cancer Research, CRIG, CRIG, Biomaterials, Organic Chemistry and Belgian Polymer Group.

Publications

Questions?