General
The Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine (TRM) was founded in October 2006 by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), the Free State of Saxony, and the Universität Leipzig. With the establishment of this centre of excellence, the profile of life sciences in the region has been significantly strengthened and given particular focus.
Twenty million euros have been granted for research, technology development, and professional development programmes in the TRM-Leipzig. Additional funds from the Free State of Saxony will be invested in the renovation of the old University Women’s Clinic and establishment of research laboratories. The Centre anticipates further co-funding for cooperative therapy development and clinical studies from industry and other partners.
The goal of the Centre is to provide up-and-coming, young researchers an opportunity and to pursue their own research in a supportive and challenging environment. The structures and community created by the TRM-Leipzig will allow the investigators to develop professionally, learn to work independently, and engage in an open exchange of ideas. A major support of the young research teams is in the form of mentors in the region. The list of participating mentors is long. Senior researchers from medicine, biosciences, veterinary medicine, pharmacology, materials science, chemistry, physics, ethics, education, computer science, and law (just from the Universität Leipzig, University Hospital, and the Heart Centre Leipzig) are represented among the mentors for the Translational Awards in the TRM-Leipzig.
In addition, the TRM-Leipzig is pleased to be partnered with the University of Halle-Wittenberg, the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM)-Halle, the BG Clinic Bergmannstrost, the Leibniz Institute of Surface Modification (IOM), the Kunststoffzentrum Leipzig, the Regenerative Medicine Network Leipzig-Halle (RegMedNet), and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI). Further partners can be found in regional biotech companies like NeuroProgen, Euroderm, Serono, Nova Tissue, KeyNeurotec, or Biotectid (these firms have, for example, either provided mentors to Awards or other support).
Research Organisation and Concept
The Centre is organised by four main Research Areas, in addition to the central core units, which are oriented towards major technologies. The first Research Area is Tissue Engineering und Materials Science (TEMAT), where the focus is on the development of in vitro tissue culture systems, bioreactors, and new materials and surface modification concepts. In Cell Therapies for Repair and Replacement (CELLT), the therapeutic potential of traditional and novel cell therapies as well as developmental biology is pursued; in particular, the application of stem cells (from different sources) is investigated. In the Research Area Regulatory Molecules and Delivery Systems (REMOD), mechanisms of endogenous regeneration are investigated with the goal of developing new therapies or disgnostic processes. Finally, Imaging, Modelling, und Monitoring of Regeneration (IMONIT) overlaps all three of the previously described Research Areas and has the goal of developing mathematical models of tissue regeneration as well as monitoring, quantifying, and imaging the processes of regeneration.
Core Units of the TRM-Leipzig
Three core units support the Research Areas. They provide specialist support in techniques and procedures related to the efficient translation of basic research through pre-clinical studies and into clinical application. All core units of the Centre offer or will offer teaching and training programmes.
The Quality Management Core Unit (QMCU) will provide support in the design, execution, administration, and documentation of GLP procedures, as well as access to certified facilities. GLP is a relatively new requirement for pre-clinical research in Germany and can be a major “stumbling block” for those who are unprepared. Insufficient knowledge of GLP processes in the early initial steps, which are also the most critical for the success in developing a novel product, can cause significant delays in product development.
The QMCU is a strategic tool to assist in translating the basic science discoveries into practice and will enable Awards under development in the Centre to fulfill all required criteria with respect to national, European, and international regulations. Cooperation is planned with the Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapies and Immunology (IZI) to develop protocols for pre-clinical studies and in carrying out study projects. The QMCU will work in close partnership for its accreditation with the coordinating centres for clinical studies of the medical faculty (KKSL) and of the veterinary faculty (KoVet) and the Fraunhofer IZI.
The Microsurgery Core Unit (MSCU) will train young investigators in microsurgical techniques and will offer operative services to research projects. The unit will begin with the mouse and rat liver transplantation models, then extend their repertoire to further procedures in collaboration with the groups concerned. The Centre includes the MSCU in its GLP concept as an experimental microsurgery unit housed in the QMCU.
Computational Microscopy Core Unit
For a reliable determination und identification of microscopy-related quantitative figures from regenerative processes, and especially to ensure a high quality level in imaging-based analyses in general, it is highly recommended to not only apply appropriate image processing algorithms, but also to have optimal conditions during image capture. Therefore, our core unit provides consultations for all TRM awards, as appropriate and desired. The following levels of supportive services are offered:
- Participation in planning of experimental protocols
- Support for optimised image acquisition
- Consultations while selecting the most adequate imaging modality
- Support for analyses, preparation, and presentation of imaging-related quantitative results, esp. concerning scientific visualisation
The Mission
The mission of the Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine (TRM) is to conduct and support interdisciplinary research for regenerative medicine; to provide an effective link between academia, research institutions, and small- and medium-sized biotechnology companies; to translate conceptual research into clinical practice; and to develop and train internationally competitive basic and clinical scientists.
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