The AO Foundation is a medically guided, global network of surgeons. It is the world’s leading education and research organization for trauma and musculoskeletal treatment. Within the AO Research Institute Davos, the Regenerative Orthopaedics Program has established research activities in the field of bone, cartilage, and intervertebral disc regeneration, with a major focus on regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Extended research experience with specific bioreactor systems for cartilage and disc will considerably contribute to the ex vivo component of the overall project.

Martin Stoddart is full Professor, Program Leader and Principal Scientist. At AO he is the Stem Cell focus area leader, with expertise in cartilage cell biology, biochemistry, stem cell differentiation, gene therapy, in vitro models, bioreactors and mechanobiology. Sibylle Grad, is Principal Scientist, and disc/Cartilage focus area leader, with expertise in IVD and cartilage biology, biochemistry, tissue engineering, regeneration, biomarkers, in vitro models and bioreactors.

ARI will use their advanced bioreactor-based test systems for verification of the efficiency of the nucleic acid carriers and ultrasound protocols in modulating gene expression in tissue residing cells.