Infection studies
Understanding the pathogenesis of musculoskeletal infection and developing customized interventions
In vitro testing
- Antimicrobial efficacy testing of anti-infective surfaces
- Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on test materials
- Imaging of test surfaces with or without bacteria/biofilm using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
- Biobank of clinical bacterial isolates from patients with bone and implant infection
Animal models
- Mouse, rat, rabbit, and sheep models of infection prevention
- Rat, rabbit, and sheep models of infection treatment
- Experience in working with antibiotic resistant pathogens (eg, MRSA)
- Systemic and local application of antibiotics/antimicrobials histological preparation
- Histological analysis of infected tissues with bacteria-specific staining
Analysis
- Determining antimicrobial efficacy of specific devices or biomaterials
- Quantitative bacteriological analysis of biological specimens including bone
- Quantitative analysis of explanted hardware
In vivo models of infection at ARI, l-r: mouse femoral plate, rabbit humeral nail, rabbit humeral LCP, rat tibial screw, sheep tibial nail
![](/-/media/project/aocd/aof/what-we-do/research-innovation/cro-services-and-resources/infection-studies/ari_promo_services_6infection-studies_1_900x506.png?h=506&iar=0&w=900&hash=C5D19482488CBF0DAECD63B50165EC64)
Intraoperative image showing fixation of the humerus with an LCP in our rabbit model of fracture-related infection
![](/-/media/project/aocd/aof/what-we-do/research-innovation/cro-services-and-resources/infection-studies/ari_promo_services_6infection-studies_2_900x506.png?h=506&iar=0&w=900&hash=D532F5B6E620DA512DA0FD49C8677F07)
False colored scanning electron micrograph of a biofilm formed by Staphylococcus aureus on implant surface, showing fibrin formation in red
Qualifications
- Microbiologists (PhDs) experienced in infection studies
- PhD level scientists and experienced project leaders
- Highly qualified technicians
Certification
- ISO 9001:2015
- Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
Contact
![](/-/media/project/aocd/aof/what-we-do/research-innovation/cro-services-and-resources/aof_ari_portrait_staff_bentz_ulrich_600x600.jpg?h=180&iar=0&w=180&hash=1E04D4E7253B24740DC4D339CBB20C6B)
Ulrich Bentz
AO Research Institute Davos
Clavadelerstrasse 8
7270 Davos Platz
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 81 414 23 26