Erlangen researcher Aijia Cai wins DGPRÄC prize for tissue research!

Erlangen researcher Aijia Cai wins DGPRÄC prize for tissue research!

At the University Hospital Erlangen, PD Dr. Aijia Cai received a significant award that recognizes not only her commitment but also the advances in medical research. It was presented at the 54th annual conference of the German Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. V. (DGPRÄC) honored with the science prize. This is the highest recognition given annually to outstanding young scientists.

The background to the award is Cai's habilitation thesis, in which she dealt with the cultivation of muscle replacement tissue in the field of tissue engineering. This research is particularly relevant as it explores new approaches to producing skeletal muscle tissue that could have a significant impact on future clinical applications. Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Raymund E. Horch Cai researches in the “Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine” working group at the university hospital, where translational research plays a high role.

Research on muscle tissue

The plastic and hand surgery department at Erlangen University Hospital has established itself as a pioneer in the development of three-dimensionally perfused artificial replacement tissue. These advances are crucial in order to be able to replace defective or worn-out tissue with the body's own material. The challenges associated with this research are significant. According to Prof. Horch, intensive efforts are required to overcome the hurdles that stand between laboratory experiments and clinical applications.

Cai's own project aims to increase the feasibility of these approaches and move them more quickly into clinical practice. The results of their work could represent a significant step towards improving the lives of patients who rely on such therapies.

“The excellent research opportunities at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg make a significant contribution to such successes,” emphasizes Prof. Horch. FAU is considered one of the most research-intensive universities in Germany and offers an excellent platform for the development of innovative medical technologies. Close collaboration with international research institutions enables scientists to broaden perspectives and find progressive solutions.

The awarding of the DGPRÄC Prize to Aijia Cai not only recognizes her personal achievements, but also sets an example for the relevance of research in the areas of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In the future, their work could help to significantly improve alternative treatments for muscle loss and other tissue damage. More details on this topic can be found in a detailed report on www.infranken.de.