2018 eCM XVIII: Cartilage & Disc: Repair and Regeneration
25th – 28th June 2018, Congress Center, Davos, Switzerland

Articular cartilage and intervertebral disc have many structural and functional similarities although they are different tissues. Despite their well-defined structure, repair remains a clinical challenge. While notorious for their limited repair capacity, recent developments are showing real promise in clinics, particularly in cartilage repair. Molecular characterization, to enable a more accurate assessment of phenotype, is improving and there is more active pursuit of predictive chondrogenic markers. The theme of this year conference is to highlight the progress being made to renew optimism that novel clinical approaches are closer to reality than ever before.

This conference aims to address precisely these topics while exploring issues such as cell mediated repair, biomaterials and clinical approaches. The outcome should be an increased understanding of the topic and an emphasis of the need to improve the interaction between scientists and clinicians.

eCM meetings always aim to be the place where scientists and clinicians meet and exchange the challenges they face. Translation to the clinics will always rely on active interaction between the practitioners, which treat patients, and preclinical science that can develop proof of concept. The afternoons are free for excursions into the mountains or networking opportunities.

This international forum continues the eCM congress series held in Davos. The limited number of participants (150) ensures that clinicians, biologists, engineers and material scientists will have ample opportunities for knowledge sharing in basic, translational and clinical research in addition to developments in the field of cartilaginous tissue repair and regeneration. As the conference does not have parallel sessions, it permits in-depth multidisciplinary discussions about how to advance this research area.

We would like to welcome you to Davos in 2018 to join in the discussion!

Local Conference Organisers
Prof. Martin Stoddart
eCM Conferences Chair and Webmaster
Scientific Editor eCM Journal
Principal Scientist, Musculoskeletal Regeneration, AO Research Institute, Davos, CH.

Dr. Sibylle Grad
International Editorial Board eCM Journal
Principal Scientist, Musculoskeletal Regeneration, AO Research Institute, Davos, CH.

Dr. David Eglin
International Editorial Board eCM
Principal Scientist, Musculoskeletal Regeneration, AO Research Institute, Davos, CH.