Cell-biomaterial interactions
In oral and maxillofacial tissue reconstruction autologous bone grafts are known to have superior features when compared to non-autologous bone grafting materials. In order to develop improved bone graft substitutes that are analogous to the native bone, our research focuses on the identification of key factors that can trigger essential signaling cascades within the regenerating bone tissue. To reach this goal, we are using three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques for scaffold engineering and also in vitro cell cultures of primary human bone cells to study how cell behavior is modulated by the molecular and biomechanical microenvironment and the biomaterials´ physicochemical surface properties.
Publications
Rabel K, Kohal R-J, Steinberg T, Tomakidi P, Rolauffs B, Adolfsson E, Palmero P, F ürderer T, Altmann B. Controlling osteoblast morphology and proliferation via surface micro‑topographies of implant biomaterials. Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 30;10(1):12810
Altmann B, Karygianni L, Al-Ahmad A, Butz F, Bächle M, Adolffson E, Fürderer T, Courtois N, Palmero P, Follo M, Chevalier J, Steinberg T, Kohal R. J.(2017). Assessment of Novel Long-Lasting Ceria-Stabilized Zirconia-Based Ceramics with Different Surface Topographies. Adv. Funct. Mater. 40/2017
Altmann B, Rabel K, Kohal RJ, Proksch S, Tomakidi P, Adolfsson E, Bernsmann F, Palmero P, Fürderer T, Steinberg T. (2017). Cellular transcriptional response to zirconia-based implant materials. Dent Mater; 33 (2), 241-255
Tuna T, Wein M, Altmann B, Steinberg T, Fischer J, Att W. Effect of ultraviolet photofunctionalisation on the cell attractiveness of zirconia implant materials. Eur Cell Mater; 2015, 29, 82 – 96
Altmann B, Kohal RJ, Steinberg T, Tomakidi P, Bächle-Haas M, Wennerberg A, Att W. (2013). Distinct Cell Functions of Osteoblasts on UV-Functionalized Titanium- and Zirconia-Based Implant Materials Are Modulated by Surface Topography. Tissue Eng Part C Methods.; 19 (11), 850-63
Kohal RJ, Bächle M, Att W, Chaar S, Altmann B, Renz A, Butz F. Osteoblast and bone tissue response to surface modified zirconia and titanium implant materials. Dent Mater., 2013, 29 (7), 763-76

Assoc. Prof. (PD) Brigitte Altmann, Ph.D.
Dept. of Prosthetic Dentistry Freiburg University Medical Center
Section Head, Cell Biology-inspired Oral Tissue Regeneration
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy (Biology), Heidelberg University and Institute for Biological Interfaces-1, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
Postdoctoral
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
Institute for Biological Interfaces-1, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
Dept. of Oral, Maxillofacial, & Regional Plastic Surgery, Freiburg University Medical Center, Germany
Dept. of Prosthetic Dentistry, Freiburg University Medical Center, Germany