Laboratory Of Biomechanics & Biocalorimetry (LOB²)

OVERVIEW

In 2009, we changed our name from the Laboratory for Orthopedic Biomechanics to the:

Laboratory of Biomechanics & Biocalorimetry (LOB²).

This recognized two areas of expansion encouraged by our founder, the late Prof. Dr. Med. Erwin W. Morscher. First, while we are still highly oriented toward and active in orthopedic biomechanics, we increasingly do additional biomechanics work in other surgical disciplines, tissue engineering, sports, and even pharmaceutical delivery systems.

Second, LOB² has become the Basel pioneer in biocalorimetry. Prof. Dr. med. Walter Dick (recently retired Chair of Uni Basel Orthopedic Surgery) was the additional key early supporter of this venture. LOB² develops and uses micro-and nano-watt heat flow measurements as a powerful tool for studying the rates and nature of chemical and physical processes in implant materials, in cultured cells (including their growth rates) and the interaction between cells and materials (surgical, pharmaceutical, environmental and industrial). This work too had its roots in orthopedics--in studies of the metabolic response of cultured macrophages to orthopedic implant wear particles. However LOB² biocalorimetry now includes work as far afield as development of new analytical methods for use in microbiology and tumor biology

ORIGINS:

The LOB (now LOB²) was founded by the late Prof. Dr. med. Erwin W. Morscher (1929-2008). He was an internationally recognized pioneer in orthopedic surgical practice, orthopedic implant and instrument design, and also efforts to ground clinical practice in science; especially biomechanics. He was Chief of Orthopedic Surgery for the University of Basel Faculty of Medicine from 1971 to 1995. As he neared the end of his clinical career, it was his desire to establish a "Labor für Orthopädische Biomechanik". The purpose was to make sure that scientific principles would continue to be taught as part of clinical training, and that new science-based technologies for clinical use would continue to be developed.

To found the LOB in 1990, Prof. Morscher sought the cooperation of Mr. Otto Frey, one of the pioneers in the industry established in Switzerland to provide orthopedic surgeons world-wide with implants and instruments. Mr. Frey established the Hardy & Otto Frey-Zünd Stiftung (Foundation). Its express purposes were to provide the funding needed for the LOB's initial staff and equipment, and to supplement its efforts in subsequent years.

The LOB² staff is profoundly grateful to Prof. Morscher. Not only did he found the LOB, but he was also a continuing source of research ideas. After retirement he was untiring and highly successful in his efforts to help us find further funds to support research, development and education in biomechanics and biocalorimetry.

GENERAL SUPPORT:

An applied research laboratory such as LOB² needs not only core financial support but also strong connections to clinical practice and its current needs for improved technologies. We are especially grateful to two persons. They have provided us not only with such clinical connections but also financial support for core needs and new ventures, from non-clinical sources at their disposal. One is Prof. Dr. med. Walter Dick, recently retired Chief of Orthopedic Surgery for the University of Basel Faculty of Medicine. The other is Prof. Dr. med. Niklaus F. Friederich, Chief of Orthopedic Surgery & Traumatology, Bruderholz Hospital, BL. Prof. Friederich is also LOB²'s official liaison with the University's Orthopedic Faculty.

AREAS OF INTEREST:

LOB² works in biomechanics at the macro-scale, the mm scale and the micro-nano scale. Perhaps most unusual is our work in biocalorimetry. It enables us to measure miniscule rates of heat production or consumption from small specimens for diverse purposes in cell biology and implant materials science. How is biocalorimetry also biomechanics? Heat is mechanical vibration at the nano scale. LOB² undertakes macro, mm and micro-nano scale projects in the following areas:

- Load-bearing tissues (bone, cartilage, ligament, tendon, meniscus).
- Load-bearing body structures (joints, spine, jaw, etc.).
- Implants for surgical repair of load bearing tissues & structures.
- Functional anatomy of locomotor systems.
- Surgical and medical diagnostic methods--especially those based on biocalorimetry.