PhD defence N. (Nadia) Rbia

The overarching goal of this thesis is to further improve outcomes after nerve reconstruction by individualizing nerve allograft repair with the addition of adipose-derived MSCs. First, an overview is provided of the current outcome after nerve reconstruction. Following, we describe in 4 chapters the results of studies that focuses on the addition of adipose derived MSCs to decellularized nerve allografts and the in-vitro characteristics on human tissue, as well as the in-vivo characteristics in a rat-model. Next, a new method to effectively seed decellularized nerve allografts with MSCs is described and validated. The interactions of MSCs with decellularized nerve allografts was studied as well as the in-vivo distribution and survival of MSCs seeded on a decellularized nerve allograft was tracked. Finally, we focused on the evaluation of the molecular mechanisms underlying nerve repair by a decelullarized nerve allograft preseeded with autologous, undifferentiated, adipose derived MSCs and compared to the unseeded allograft and autograft nerve.

The public defence will take place at the Senatehall, 1st floor of the Erasmus Building, Campus Woudestein. The ceremony will begin exactly at 09.30 hrs. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.