BTU overview
Faculty 2
Chair of Cell Biology Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ursula Anderer
Left: Fluorescence-based detection of cytoskeletal elements in cartilage cells (top, actin fibers) and bone cells (bottom, vimentin). Middle: Reflected light microscopy of in vitro microtissues, cartilage (top) and bone (bottom). Right: Histological preparations of cartilage sections showing glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the matrix, top: safranin O, bot Left: Fluorescence-based detection of cytoskeletal elements in cartilage cells (top, actin fibers) and bone cells (bottom, vimentin). Middle: Reflected light microscopy of in vitro microtissues, cartilage (top) and bone (bottom). Right: Histological preparations of cartilage sections showing glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the matrix, top: safranin O, bottom: Alcian blue.tom: Alcian blue.

The research group "Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering" performs research in the field of "Cell-based Diagnostics and Therapy", a focus at the Institute of Biotechnology at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg (Campus Senftenberg) in the profile "Health and Life Sciences".

Our research is based on in vivo-like 3D tissue models on a laboratory scale. In contrast to the typical 2-dimensional (2D) cell culture technique, here cells are cultured in the laboratory in a 3D cell assembly to mimic the situation in the body and enable tissue-typical physiological behaviour of the cells.

The possible applications of these microtissues are the foundation of our key research areas.

  1. Personalised cell-based therapies of traumatic cartilage injuries in regenerative medicine. The application of cartilage microtissues in the clinic has already received EMA approval. Our next aim is the development of osteochondral autografts for the regeneration of deep cartilage defects.
  2. Development of an (patient-specific) osteoarthritis disease model to gain a better insight of the disease and possible therapeutic approaches. The primary focus is currently on cartilage-like microtissues followed by a more complex OA-model including further important cells/tissues involved in the disease, e.g. bone, synovia or immune cells.
  3. Design of human-based, in vivo-like test systems for Experimental Pharmacology. This allows the reduction of animal experiments. On the other hand, this could provide patient-specific test systems which might enable individualised medication.      

In the field of young scientists, our working group is involved in the cluster "REGproAGE" of the Graduate Research School (GRS) of the BTU. Prof. Anderer is project leader in the cluster "REGproAGE" and Annemarie Ecke, PhD student of our working group, participates in the qualification program of GRS and receives a GRS scholarship.

Closely related to research is the reaching portfolio, which ranges from the basics of cell biology, an insight into cell biological methods to tissue engineering and the fundamentals of various basic human tissue types in theory (lecture, seminar) and practice (laboratory courses). The target groups for the courses offered at BTU C-S are currently the bachelor's and master's programs in biotechnology.

We welcome applications for bachelor and master theses at any time.