Research projects

Our Galileo®, Leonardo® and Stratec pQCT products are already being used in numerous research projects.

Space exploration

Clinical research

Basic research

Space research

It is an old dream of mankind to overcome the laws of gravity and to be weightless. But in practice this leads to serious problems. Without gravity acting on the human body muscle and bone are decomposed. To explore these issues and develop solutions that could be used, for example at the International Space Station or on a trip to Mars, we are involved in several projects using our Galileo Space Sensor, Leonardo Mechanography and Stratec pQCT systems in several Project since 2001:

  • 2001: Toulouse Bedrest Study (LTBR) (Stratec pQCT, Leonardo Mechanography) ESA
  • 2003: Berlin Bedrest Study (BBR) (Stratec pQCT, Leonardo Mechanography, Galileo Space),ESA
  • 2006: DLR Parabolic Flight Campaign (Galileo Space) DLR
  • 2007: Berlin Bedrest Study 2 (BBR2) (Stratec pQCT, Leonardo Mechanography, Galileo Space) ESA
  • 2008: DLR Bedrest Study (short-term) (Galileo Space) DLR
  • 2008: Integrated Counter Measure (ICS) (Sledge Jump System, Galileo Space) ESA
  • 2009: DLR Parabolic Flight Campaign (Galileo Space) DLR
  • 2010: DLR Parabolic Flight Campaign (Galileo Space) DLR
  • 2010: Mars 500 Mission (Stratec pQCT, Leonardo Mechanography, Galileo Space) ESA, ROSCOSMOS
  • 2012: Toulouse Bedrest Study (Galileo Space) ESA
  • 2013: pQCT-System for Space (XRAI) (Stratec pQCT) ESA
  • 2015: DLR Short Arm Centrifuge (Galileo Space) ESA
  • 2015: Concordia (Antartica) (Stratec pQCT, Leonardo Mechanography) ESA
  • 2017: DLR Bedrest Study SJS (Sledge Jump System) ESA
  • 2019: ICS upgrade: NEX4EX (Sledge Jump System, Galileo Space) ESA
  • 2020: IJS Short Arm Centrifuge (Galileo Space) ESA
  • 2023: IJS Additional Galileo Space Systems (Galileo Space) ESA
  • 2024: XCT-System for Space (NOPTISS) (Stratec pQCT) ESA

Clinical research

Muscle and bone form a functional unit. Therefore, the measurement of bone density and strength by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) as well as performance diagnostics with the Leonardo force plate are indispensable tools in clinical and preclinical research for the investigation of musculo-skeletal relationships. Important, physically relevant parameters provide new insights for laboratory and practice.

Our research focus in the area of clinical research:

Influence of immobilisation due to paraplegia

University of Glasgow, Inselspital Bern and Swiss Paraplegic Centre

Influence of immobilisation after a stroke

University of Larissa and University of Hong Kong

Prevention of bone resorption during immobilisation

Universität von British Columbia in Vancouver

Influence of chronic diseases in children on the bone

University Children's Hospital Cologne

Basic research

Different diseases or drugs affect different bone surfaces (trabecular, endosteal, periosteal and Haversian surfaces). The exact location of the changes can be determined by determining the cross-sectional geometry using pQCT. In combination with Leonardo mechanography for the analysis of muscle function, the diagnostic concept of the functional muscle and bone unit is rounded off for basic research.

Our focus in the area of basic research:

Testing new drugs against osteoporosis in animal models

Within the last 20 years, the efficacy of many drugs against osteoporosis (PTH, bisphosphonates, SERMS) has been tested in the preclinical phase using pQCT. The higher sensitivity of selective measurement in vivo provides results faster and with fewer test animals.

proj maus

Characterisation of different knock-out models in mice

Numerous genes influence bone strength. Knock-out mouse models are used to selectively disable one or several genes. This allows to determine the influence of these genes on bone properties such as mass, density and geometry, and to explore new treatments of or genetic disorders more quickly.

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