Prof. Rolauffs‘ group has investigated novel articular cartilage cell sources to evaluate differences in intrinsic repair and to determine alternative cell sources for chondrocyte implantation for degenerative OA vs. healthy non-degenerative joints. His group has shown that ex vivo re-differentiated lesion chondrocytes may hold non-utilized clinical potential for articular cartilage repair. His group was the first to show that maintaining the pericellular matrix (PCM) of chondrocytes, which is a protective microenvironment enclosure, vastly enhances the regenerative capacity of human OA chondrocytes. Currently, Prof. Rolauffs research focuses on translation of this into the clinic.