Healing tissue from the amniotic sac: Susanne Wolbank featured in ‘Spektrum der Wissenschaft’
What was once routinely discarded in hospitals could make all the difference for patients with severe eye injuries: the innermost layer of the amniotic sac – the so-called amniotic membrane – is increasingly used as a biological transplant. Susanne Wolbank contributes her expert insights in ‘Spektrum der Wissenschaft’.
A recent article in the magazine highlights the therapeutic potential of this tissue and explores the biological mechanisms behind it. The focus lies on the unique properties of the amniotic membrane: it contains stem cells that produce anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and regenerative signalling molecules. A complex interaction that promotes tissue healing, alleviates pain and reduces the risk of transplant rejection.
As a scientific expert, Susanne Wolbank, head of the cell-based therapies group at LBI Trauma, provides context. She has been studying the regenerative effects of amniotic tissue for many years: the membrane, she explains, is “delicate, yet highly resilient” and full of “master communicators”, i.e., stem cells that actively interact with their surroundings and steer the body’s healing processes. Thanks to its special immunological tolerance, the amnion can even be used in sensitive transplant situations, she adds. This is a property with potential applications in several other medical fields.
Read the full article (in German)
Sharing science, communicating knowledge
Our collaboration with media outlets such as Spektrum der Wissenschaft reflects our commitment to making science accessible. Researchers at LBI Trauma regularly share their expertise across diverse format, including a recent feature on sepsis:
“The immune system’s fatal overreaction” – Spektrum der Wissenschaft
