Three-dimensional (3D) lung epithelial cell models mimic key aspects of the parental tissue, including apical-basolateral polarity and barrier function (Barrila et al. 2010, PMID: 20948552). These 3D cultures are generated using the rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor system, allowing host cells

The Galleria mellonella assay makes use of larvae of the Greater Wax Moth. G. mellonella larvae are injected with a small amount of microorganisms, and survival can easily be followed for up to 1 week. This allows to compare virulence between different organisms. Alternatively, after injection of

The C. elegans assay can be used to study the virulence of various microorganisms, and can be used to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of drugs or drug candidates. The two main outcome parameters are (i) survival of C. elegans and (ii) microbial load.

The scope of our research ranges from the study of flow and transport processes in blood and biological fluids in the cardiovascular system and artificial organs to biomechanical aspects of the cardiovascular and the skeleto-muscular system and medical devices. All research tracks explored by our