Peculiarities of the extracellular matrix in the interstitium of the renal stem/progenitor cell niche.

The development of the nephron is piloted by interactions between epithelial and surrounding mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells. Data show that an astonishingly wide interstitial space separates both kinds of stem/progenitor cells. A simple contrasting procedure was applied to visualize features that keep renal epithelial and mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells in distance.

Cell and drug delivery therapeutics for controlled renal parenchyma regeneration.

In regenerative medicine much attention is given to stem/progenitor cells for a future therapy of acute and chronic renal failure. However, up to date sound cell biological knowledge about nephron renewal in kidney is lacking. For that reason molecular mechanisms are under intense investigation leading from stem/progenitor cells to regenerated tubules.

A modular culture system for the generation of multiple specialized tissues.

Numerous factors influence cell functions and tissue development in culture. A modular culture system has been developed to allow the control of many of these important environmental parameters. Optimal adhesion of cells is obtained by selecting an individual biomaterial.