Disc Research
Our goal is to regenerate the degenerated human intervertebral disc.
Currently, we focus on nasal chondrocytes as a very promising cell source to achieve this goal.
In detail, we have in vitro models, a bovine disc model and were recently able to start with a human disc model from cadavers.
Selected Publications
Schmid, Raphael, Apte, Janhavi, Schulze, Elias, Sirek, Andrej, Schäfer, Günther, Schäper, Jessica, Santini, Francesco, Negoias, Simona, Barbero, Andrea, Martin, Ivan, Pelttari, Karoliina, Schären, Stefan, Krupkova, Olga, & . (2025). An Ex Vivo Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration for Assessing Retention of Injectable Cell-Based Grafts. Jor Spine, 8. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.70144
Schmid, Raphael, Apte, Janhavi, Schulze, Elias, Sirek, Andrej, Schäfer, Günther, Schäper, Jessica, Santini, Francesco, Negoias, Simona, Barbero, Andrea, Martin, Ivan, Pelttari, Karoliina, Schären, Stefan, Krupkova, Olga, & . (2025). An Ex Vivo Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration for Assessing Retention of Injectable Cell-Based Grafts. Jor Spine, 8. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.70144
Kasamkattil, Jesil, Gryadunova, Anna, Schmid, Raphael, Gay-Dujak, Max Hans Peter, Dasen, Boris, Hilpert, Morgane, Pelttari, Karoliina, Martin, Ivan, Schären, Stefan, Barbero, Andrea, Krupkova, Olga, & . (2023). Human 3D nucleus pulposus microtissue model to evaluate the potential of pre-conditioned nasal chondrocytes for the repair of degenerated intervertebral disc. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1119009
Kasamkattil, Jesil, Gryadunova, Anna, Schmid, Raphael, Gay-Dujak, Max Hans Peter, Dasen, Boris, Hilpert, Morgane, Pelttari, Karoliina, Martin, Ivan, Schären, Stefan, Barbero, Andrea, Krupkova, Olga, & . (2023). Human 3D nucleus pulposus microtissue model to evaluate the potential of pre-conditioned nasal chondrocytes for the repair of degenerated intervertebral disc. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1119009
Gryadunova A., Kasamkattil J., Gay M.H.P., Dasen B, Pelttari K, Mironov V., Martin I., Scharen S., Barbero A, Krupkova O., & . (2021). Nose to Spine: spheroids generated by human nasal chondrocytes for scaffold-free nucleus pulposus augmentation. Acta Biomaterialia, 134, 240–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.064
Gryadunova A., Kasamkattil J., Gay M.H.P., Dasen B, Pelttari K, Mironov V., Martin I., Scharen S., Barbero A, Krupkova O., & . (2021). Nose to Spine: spheroids generated by human nasal chondrocytes for scaffold-free nucleus pulposus augmentation. Acta Biomaterialia, 134, 240–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.064
Gay M.H.P., , Rittmann M., Haug M., Barbero A., Martin I., & Schaeren S. (2019). Nose to back: Compatibility of nasal chondrocytes with environmental conditions mimicking a degenerated intervertebral disc. European Cells and Materials, 37, 214–323. https://doi.org/10.22203/ecm.v037a13
Gay M.H.P., , Rittmann M., Haug M., Barbero A., Martin I., & Schaeren S. (2019). Nose to back: Compatibility of nasal chondrocytes with environmental conditions mimicking a degenerated intervertebral disc. European Cells and Materials, 37, 214–323. https://doi.org/10.22203/ecm.v037a13
, Matta A, Karim MZ, Kim S, Fehlings MG, Schaeren S, & Mark Erwin W. (2017). Notochordal cell-derived conditioned medium protects human nucleus pulposus cells from stress-induced apoptosis. Spine Journal, 17(4), 579–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2017.01.003
, Matta A, Karim MZ, Kim S, Fehlings MG, Schaeren S, & Mark Erwin W. (2017). Notochordal cell-derived conditioned medium protects human nucleus pulposus cells from stress-induced apoptosis. Spine Journal, 17(4), 579–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2017.01.003