ISSLS Basic Science Research Grant 2026 Awarded for the DiscFuse Project

PD Dr. med. Sonja Häckel, together with co-applicants Prof. Benjamin Gantenbein, PD Dr. Stefan Zwingenberger, Laura González-Blanco, and Prof. Christoph E. Albers, has been awarded the ISSLS Basic Science Research Grant 2026 by the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine for the DiscFuse project.

 

The project investigates an implant-free strategy for spinal fusion through targeted osteoinductive stimulation of the intervertebral disc using BMP-2, L51P, and EP4 modulation. Building on previous ex vivo studies, this approach is now being further developed in an age-relevant in vivo model.

DiscFuse originated within the Spine Science Initiative of the Deutsche Wirbelsäulengesellschaft and is being carried out in collaboration with the Department for BioMedical Research, the University of Bern, as well as national and international partners.

Prof. Benjamin Gantenbein accepted the award on behalf of the team in Cape Town.

PD Dr. med. Sonja Häckel

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