Peter Thomsen: Latest understanding of the biology of osseointegration. The early cellular and molecular path to osseointegration

The lecture will highlight results generated with newly developed sampling and analytical platforms, including studies with systematic alterations of implant surface properties, morphological, ultrastructural, biomechanical and genomic/proteomic techniques. The hypothesis is that implant surface properties are conveyed to bone cells via first-line implant-adherent cells, cell-cell communication and that this process is initiated much earlier than what has been anticipated from general bone biology studies and in vitro studies. The language spoken includes the transmission of information via nano-sized extracellular vesicles (exosomes), and cytokines. Particular interest is given to the communication between cells and molecules of the inflammatory and regenerative biological processes, respectively. The connections between the implant surface, inflammatory cells and bone formation and remodeling is illustrated by results using oxidized, machined and naono-structred material surfaces.

After holding a four-year fellowship with the Swedish Medical Research Council, in 1994 Dr. Peter Thomsen succeeded Professor P-I Brånemark and became Professor of Biomaterials at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. His research is devoted to the relations between material surface properties, inflammation and tissue regeneration. The research group has a track record in the development and application of novel techniques to resolve the fine structure and cell behaviour of such interfaces. He has authored 240 original articles and 436 abstracts and lectures. In 2003, Dr. Thomsen received the George Winter Award by the European Society for Biomaterials for excellence in biomaterials research. In 2007, he was appointed Director of the Biomatcell Vinn Excellence Center of Biomaterials and Cell Therapy, a 10-year Swedish governmental research program on implant material properties, stem cells and regeneration of the musculoskeletal system.