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The use of biotechnology has become increasingly important
in improving existing therapies and the quality of patient
care. Both biomaterial and material technologies have
been successfully applied in trauma and orthopedic surgery
for many years including the use of metal alloys based
on titanium and iron, natural and synthetic polymers,
and inorganic materials like hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium
phosphate. The use of nonmetallic natural and synthetic
materials have formed the basis of tissue engineering.
Substantial research work has focused on the controlled
delivery of cells and a variety of bioactive molecules,
and combinations of synthetic materials to stimulate
new bone formation and fracture healing. The future
of biotechnology in trauma and orthopedic research will
involve a combination of tissue engineering, gene manipulation,
cellbased therapies, and complex new drugs with sophisticated
modes of targeting and delivery.
These trends are already emerging. Many technical, surgical,
and ethical problems must be addressed while biotechnology
is evolving to meet these clinical needs. Differences
in outcome between results in animal models and those
in humans must also be addressed.
The demands for such research and specific answers to
clinical problems are increasing.
This meeting provided an overview of the state-of-the-art
in biotechnology research funded by the AO Foundation.
It was designed to promote networking within the community
of researchers and clinicians active in this field,
improve knowledge transfer, and exchange and stimulate
new creative collaborations in R&D in this field.
The Organizers
AO BAB
• Margarethe Hofmann-Amtenbrink, Mat Search, Pully,
CH, Chairwoman
• Stephen E Feinberg, University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, USA
• David W Grainger, University of Utah, USA
• Norbert Haas, Universitätsklinikum Charité,
Berlin, DE
• Dick Heinegard, Department of Experimental Medical
Science, Lund, SE
• David M Nunamaker, University of Pennsylvania,
USA
• Robin Poole, McGill University, Montreal, CAN
• Jocelyn Urban, Dept. of Physiology, Anatomy and
Genetics, Oxford University, UK
• Elliott Gruskin, Synthes (USA), West Chester,
USA
AO RB
• Norbert Suedkamp, Universitätsklinikum der
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, DE
AO RF
• Adrian Sugar, Morriston Hospital, Wales, UK
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