What we investigate
Our research focuses on regenerative and tissue-engineered skin replacement for children with severe burns and rare skin disorders. We investigate innovative approaches to wound healing, scar prevention and reconstruction, translating laboratory discoveries and advanced therapy medicinal products into clinically applicable treatments that improve long-term outcomes.
KEYWORDS
pediatric burns, skin tissue engineering, wound healing and scarring, skin pigmentation and vascularization, epidermolysis bullosa
Our research in more detail
Our research group focuses on improving treatment and long-term outcomes for children and adults with severe burns, complex wounds and rare skin disorders. We develop pigmented and vascularised dermo-epidermal skin substitutes, including innovative approaches for patients with epidermolysis bullosa. Our work covers the full translational pathway, from preclinical studies and product optimisation to manufacturing in our own GMP facility, regulatory preparation, clinical trials and implementation in surgical care.
In close collaboration with all Swiss burn centres and international partners, we conduct clinical studies to improve acute burn treatment as well as long-term skin and scar quality. Our research includes innovative grafting techniques, cultured epithelial autografts, dermal substitutes, wound-healing mechanisms and new strategies for the prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scarring. Our goal is to develop safe, effective and accessible treatments that improve survival, skin quality, function, appearance and quality of life for burn patients and their families.
Selected publications
SKINTEGRITY.CH Principal Investigators are in bold:
- Meuli M, Schiestl C, Hartmann-Fritsch F, Middelkoop E, Kim BS, Neuhaus K, Plock JA, Rittirsch D, van der Vlies C, Azzena B, Marino D, Mujynya K, Farkas M, Bressan J, Reichmann E, Böttcher-Haberzeth S (2025). Safety and efficacy of bio-engineered, autologous dermo-epidermal skin grafts in adolescent and adult burn patients: 1-year results of a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter phase IIb clinical trial. eClinicalMedicine, 90, 103665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103665
- Schiestl C, Neuhaus K, Meuli M, Farkas M, Hartmann-Fritsch F, Elrod J, Bressan J, Reichmann E, Böttcher-Haberzeth S (2025). Long-term outcomes of a cultured autologous dermo-epidermal skin substitute in children: 5-year results of a phase I clinical trial. Journal of Burn Care & Research, 46(2), 326–334. https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irae150
- Gerster-Barzanji Z, Woodtli V, Klix M, Biedermann T, Schiestl C, Neuhaus K, Farkas M, Kamarachev J, Rittirsch D, Böttcher-Haberzeth S (2024). Long-term histological evaluation of a novel dermal template in the treatment of pediatric burns. Bioengineering, 11(12), 1270. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11121270
- Auxenfans C, Valencia RG, Abdel-Sayed P, Alaminos M, Brunet JF, Campos F, Chato-Astrain J, Carmona G, de Buys Roessingh A, Droz-Georget S, Farkas M, Fernandez Gonzalez A, Gönczi E, Huss F, Hartmann B, Heusi B, Karström A, Moiemen N, Sartoris G, Spranger A, Trouillas M, Rosas C, Vuola J, Woodtli V, Schiestl C, Böttcher S (2025). Laboratory-generated autologous skin substitutes for burn treatment in Europe: Narrative review, experts’ opinion, and legal considerations. European Burn Journal, 6(2), 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/ebj6020030