2023 ExCarBon Meeting in Frankfurt am Main. Front row (left to right): PD Dr. Attila Aszódi, Prof. Dr. Susanne Grässel, Dr. Zsuzsa Jenei-Lanzl. Middle row (left to right): Gundula Rösch, Rebecca Sohn, PD Dr. Solvig Diederichs, Verena Maier, Dr. Ann-Christine Severmann, Terrilyn Teichwart, Dr. Paolo Alberton, Dr. Ravikumar Mayakrishnan, Dr. Helen Dietmar. Back row (left to right): Guest, Guest, Prof. Dr. Andrea Vortkamp, Dr. Patrick Pann, Prof. Dr. Brian Johnstone, Guest, Prof. Dr. Babak Moradi, Dr. Shahed Taheri, Prof. Dr. Hauke Clausen-Schaumann.

Although multiple etiological factors have been implicated in the onset and progression of OA, physiological and aberrant mechanical stress remains the major acquired determinant of joint failure adversely affecting both the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone. Thus, elucidation of mechanotransduction pathways by which mechanical disturbance leads to pathologically impaired cartilaginous and bony tissues has a particular importance in our understanding of the disease. Furthermore, cell-based regenerative strategies should include appropriate mechanical conditioning and tissue-engineered (TE) construct design for the successful restoration of joint function.

• Structural and molecular regulatory details of joint physiology and pathophysiology (OA)
• Specific molecules involved in mechanotransduction and cellular responses
• Common denominators in articular cartilage/subchondral bone destruction and regeneration
• Translational approaches which facilitate clinical applications including diagnosis by testing basic research findings in preclinical animal models and human samples

This approach requires synergistic and multidisciplinary pre-clinical research, the application of a diverse methodological repertoire from the fields of medicine, life and material sciences and the use of various in vitro and in vivo models. Combining expertise from many different areas such as orthopaedic surgery, molecular and cell biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics and tissue engineering in an interdisciplinary manner is absolutely essential to the success of the proposed consortium. The composition of the consortium reflects this multidisciplinary nature as all participating groups are highly specialized in the musculoskeletal system with a focus on cartilage and bone research combined with a profound knowledge of important molecules fundamental for cartilage and bone physiology and pathophysiology. All PIs have an excellent publication record in musculoskeletal research and are well known in the national and international scientific community. Another advantage is the close collaboration of basic scientists and surgeons, which effectively combines experimental and clinical expertise imperative for the rapid translation of results into clinical routine.