Modulation of fusion, maturation and resorption of osteoclasts for in vitro simulation of bone remodeling - studies on the influence of bone substitute materials and their scaffold geometry

• Applicants: Dr.-Ing. Christiane Heinemann; Professor Dr.-Ing. Benjamin Kruppke
• Subject Area: Biomaterials
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 560496473

The aim of this project is to understand the bidirectional interaction between cells and biomaterials during bone remodeling in four specific developmental stages of osteoclastogenesis (MRI, OTK, CoK I, CoK II). The focus is on designing the material not only for mechanical properties and biocompatibility, but also for resorption from the very beginning. The differentiation and maturity markers of the cells are to be analyzed as a function of the stages and defined three-dimensional calcium phosphate cement (CPC) geometries. The 36-month project will initially involve the development of the sample design, material development and processing, cell culture of the four modulations and, finally, quantitative biochemical and molecular biological methods and qualitative microscopic examinations. The material scientific challenge is the development of samples from bone-like minerals using 3D printing technology. CPC-based hydroxyapatite will be used as a reference material and compounded with collagen. An experienced post-doc is needed for the direct initiation of complex osteoclast cultures and the coordination of material processing, as well as a fluorescence microscope for the comprehensive imaging of cell morphology on the scaffold structures. The cell biology includes four osteoclastogenesis modulations: Fusion, resorption, co-culture I and co-culture II. Each modulation is analyzed in interaction with the material geometries. The attractiveness of the goal lies in the direct applicability of basic research. Currently approved medical products can be adapted on the basis of new findings on the influence on resorbability. The scientific sub-goals include material science scaffold provision, cell biological osteoclast modulations and the transfer of the analysis results as biomaterial evaluation. The results should not only improve the understanding of cell-biomaterial interactions, but also enable the adaptation of actually in use medical products. The methodical approach and the applicability to existing products underline the practical orientation of this basic research project.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants