The objective of RTOG group is to develop, manufacture and implement implantable and biocompatible scaffolds to house mesenchematical adult stem cells from various tissue sources such as fat, bone marrow, umbilical cord and dental pulp. To achieve this goal the group works on 3 fronts simultaneously:
Development of biocompatible and porous ceramic supports
Preservation, cultivation and differentiation of stem cells into bone
Maxillofacial surgical techniques using bone filler in animal model
RTO group was formed in 2009 by academic researchers at the UC Medical, Biological Sciences and Engineering Schools. This project was born from project FONDEF d06i1026 aimed at developing bone biomodels for bone surgery planning. Its principal investigators are:
Alex Vargas: Maxillofacial Surgeon and Dentist. Academic and researcher at the Faculty of Medicine, UC. Area of interest centered on head and neck surgery, maxillofacial implants and experimental surgery.
Alejandro Erices: Biochemist and Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Academic and researcher at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, UC. Area of interest are preservation, cultivation and differentiation of adult stem cells.
Jorge Ramos: Industrial Engineer and PhD in Materials Science. Academic and researcher at the Faculty of Engineering, UC. Area of interest is centered on the design and manufacture of 3D scaffolds using rapid prototyping.