Student Projects
Identifying Protein Binding Partners of SOX5 in Joint Health and Disease
This project focuses on describing the interacting factors of the transcription factor SOX5 in the context of homeostasis and disease using biochemical approaches.
Keywords
biochemistry, cell culture, cell differentiation, molecular biology, cellular biology, bioengineering, proteomics, cell biology
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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis , Student Assistant / HiWi
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Published since: 2026-06-22 , Earliest start: 2026-08-01 , Latest end: 2027-08-01
Applications limited to University of Zurich , ETH Zurich , Balgrist Campus , IBM Research Zurich Lab , Hochschulmedizin Zürich , Wyss Translational Center Zurich , Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Organization Maerz Laboratory / Musculoskeletal Bioengineering
Hosts Giannone Adrienne
Topics Biology
Exploring the Mechanoregulation of Bone Regeneration
In over 100 years, the remarkable ability of bone to adapt to its mechanical environment has been a source of scientific fascination. Bone regeneration has been shown to be highly dependent on the mechanical environment at the fracture site. It has been demonstrated that mechanical stimuli can either accelerate or impede regeneration. Despite the fundamental importance of the mechanical environment in influencing bone regeneration, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are complex and poorly understood.
Keywords
Bone, Mechanobiology, Spatial transcriptomics, Gene expression, Finite element modelling, Image processing
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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-06-19 , Earliest start: 2026-01-19 , Latest end: 2026-08-31
Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics
Hosts Mathavan Neashan
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Design and Development of a Bioelectronic Sensing Platform for Living Systems
This master’s thesis addresses the design and development of a bioelectronic sensing platform for the monitoring of three-dimensional biological constructs. The work focuses on electrical interfaces and hardware architectures to achieve stable, reproducible measurements in engineered tissue systems over extended periods.
Keywords
Bioelectronics, multi-electrode systems, engineered tissues, monitoring dynamics, experimental bioengineering
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Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-06-03 , Earliest start: 2026-08-01 , Latest end: 2027-02-28
Applications limited to EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne , ETH Zurich
Organization Qin Group / Biomaterials Engineering
Hosts Agrawal Prajwal
Topics Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Development of a Heterocellular Human Bone Organoid for Precision Medicine and Treatment
Our goal is to establish a heterocellular 3D printed bone organoid model comprising all major bone cell types (osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts) to recapitulate bone remodeling units in an in vitro system. The organoids will be produced with the human cells, as they could represent human pathophysiology better than animal models, and eventually could replace them. These in vitro models could be used in the advancement of next-generation personalised treatment strategies. Our tools are different kinds of 3D bioprinting platforms, bio-ink formulations, hydrogels, mol-bioassays, and time-lapsed image processing of micro-CT scans.
Keywords
3D printing, bone organoids, co-culture, bioreactor, hydrogels, drug testing
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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2026-06-01 , Earliest start: 2026-07-01 , Latest end: 2027-07-01
Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics
Hosts Steffi Chris
Topics Engineering and Technology , Biology
Investigating the molecular drivers of angiogenesis in osteoarthritis
This project focuses on molecular factors that mediate the sprouting of nascent blood vessels (angiogenesis) during osteoarthritis using a 3D in vitro culture system.
Keywords
computational biology, osteoarthritis, fibroblast, endothelial, cell culture, molecular biology, imaging, image analysis, cellular biology, bioengineering
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Semester Project , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2026-05-20 , Earliest start: 2026-06-01 , Latest end: 2027-06-01
Organization Maerz Laboratory / Musculoskeletal Bioengineering
Hosts Giannone Adrienne
Topics Biology
Balance on the Move: Improving Standing Stability and Confidence During Public Transport Use
Older adults often avoid trams and buses because of fear of falling when vehicles start, stop, or turn. This project develops and evaluates a task-specific, technology-based balance training approach to help older adults feel safer and more confident when standing in public transport.
Keywords
Balance training, fall prevention, older adults, public transport, standing stability, perturbation training, force plate, fear of falling, clinical biomechanics
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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-05-10 , Earliest start: 2026-05-15 , Latest end: 2027-05-15
Organization Movement Biomarkers Group
Hosts Ravi Deepak
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Personalised musculoskeletal modelling for clinical decision making
This project aims to improve the accuracy of gait analysis–based surgical decision-making by integrating biplane X-ray data with motion capture to reduce errors from marker placement and bone deformities. It focuses on developing personalized musculoskeletal models and validating knee calibration methods, using clinical data and potentially advancing automated marker detection tools.
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Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-05-06 , Earliest start: 2026-05-03 , Latest end: 2027-08-31
Applications limited to ETH Zurich , University of Basel
Organization Taylor Group / Dual-Plane Fluoroscope
Hosts Gwerder Michelle
Topics Medical and Health Sciences
Unraveling the Link Between Meniscal Extrusion and Tibiofemoral Contact Stability: A Multi-Parametric Analysis of Dynamic Trajectories and Cumulative Compressive Burden
Meniscal extrusion is a critical precursor to knee osteoarthritis, yet its specific impact on dynamic contact stability remains poorly understood. This project utilizes high-precision dual-fluoroscopy to investigate the correlation between meniscal lateral displacement and tibial compartment contact mechanics. We propose a comprehensive evaluation framework combining kinematic stability metrics (e.g., Excursion, Instantaneous Jitter, Convex Hull Area) with a novel Cumulative Compressive Deformation (CCD) index. By quantifying how meniscal failure exacerbates contact wandering and cumulative stress, this study aims to identify early biomechanical markers of cartilage degeneration.
Keywords
Meniscal Extrusion; Contact Stability; Cumulative Compressive Deformation (CCD); Dual-Fluoroscopy; Osteoarthritis.
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Semester Project , Internship , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-05-05 , Earliest start: 2026-03-05 , Latest end: 2026-09-30
Organization Knee Joint Articular Contact Kinematics
Hosts Jiang Ziang
Topics Medical and Health Sciences
Biomechanical Efficacy of Orthotic Footwear Interventions in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Multi-Modal Analysis of Static Loading and Dynamic Contact Mechanics
This study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of three footwear conditions, including Control, Lateral Wedge Insoles (LWI), and Variable Stiffness Shoes (VSS), on the medial tibiofemoral compartment. By integrating high-speed dual-fluoroscopy with force plate kinetics, we analyze joint mechanics across static (unloaded vs. loaded) and dynamic states (gait cycle). Specifically, we investigate whether reductions in the external Knee Adduction Moment (KAM) at 1st and 2nd peaks translate into tangible improvements in internal contact patterns, such as medial Joint Space Width (JSW) recovery and contact location shifts. This project aims to cross-validate kinetic surrogates with in vivo kinematic ground truth to determine the optimal intervention strategy.
Keywords
Knee Osteoarthritis; Conservative Treatment; Kinetics; Dual-Fluoroscopy; Joint Space Width (JSW); Contact Location.
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Semester Project , Internship , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-05-05 , Earliest start: 2026-03-05 , Latest end: 2026-09-30
Organization Knee Joint Articular Contact Kinematics
Hosts Jiang Ziang
Topics Medical and Health Sciences
Generation of decellularized extracellular matrix derived from adipose tissue
In this project, the student will utilize tissue engineering and biomaterials techniques to generate and characterize decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) derived from adipose tissue. Our lab is interested in developing biologically relevant hydrogel systems that recapitulate native tissue microenvironments for use in 3D tissue models.
Keywords
tissue engineering, decellularized extracellular matrix, hydrogel
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Semester Project , Internship , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2026-04-29 , Earliest start: 2026-06-01 , Latest end: 2027-01-01
Organization Maerz Laboratory / Musculoskeletal Bioengineering
Hosts Bevc Kajetana
Topics Engineering and Technology , Biology
Spatial Proteomics of Mechanically-Driven Bone Healing
Bone healing is profoundly influenced by its mechanical environment. Advances in spatial proteomics now allow us to map protein expression within intact tissue and directly relate it to local biomechanical cues. The Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics is developing a new line of research within spatial mechanomics (DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp8496), integrating spatially resolved proteomic data with in silico models of the mechanical environment at fracture sites. This approach enables us to investigate, at cellular resolution, how mechanical forces shape protein-level signalling during bone repair.
Keywords
Bone, Mechanobiology, Spatial Proteomics, Protein Expression, Aging, Sex Differences, Mechanical Loading, Finite Element Modelling, Image Analysis
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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-04-28 , Earliest start: 2025-12-01 , Latest end: 2026-12-31
Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics
Hosts Mathavan Neashan
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology , Biology
Biomechanical Investigation of a Self-Lubricating Hip Prosthesis in the Presence of an Articulating Femoral Head
Current joint replacements cannot replicate the natural weeping lubrication mechanism found in cartilage, resulting in a typical implant lifespan of about 15–20 years due to friction and wear, often leading to revision surgery, particularly in younger patients. Inspired by the load-induced self-pressurization behavior of articular cartilage, we aim to design and develop a novel self-lubricating hip prosthesis that mimics this physiological lubrication mechanism. We have developed a self-lubricating hip prosthesis model in COMSOL Multiphysics that integrates three coupled multiphysics phenomena: Fluid–Structure Interaction, Free and Porous Media Flow, and Poroelasticity. In this semester project, the computational model will be extended by incorporating the femoral head to represent the physiological articulating joint configuration more realistically. The study will investigate how the presence of the femoral head influences fluid pressure distribution, fluid transport, and lubrication behavior within the prosthesis under physiological loading conditions. In addition, the effect of the non-Newtonian rheological behavior of synovial fluid on the lubrication response of the system will be examined. Students with a background in mechanical engineering, particularly in fluid dynamics, are encouraged to apply. Prior experience with COMSOL Multiphysics is beneficial but not mandatory.
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Semester Project
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Published since: 2026-04-09 , Earliest start: 2026-05-01 , Latest end: 2026-08-01
Organization Musculoskeletal Biomechanics
Hosts Mosayebi Mahdieh
Topics Engineering and Technology
NAD+ metabolism in fibroblast inflammation and fibrosis
This project is focused on the metabolic changes in synovial fibroblasts during the development of inflammation and fibrosis during osteoarthritis.
Keywords
NAD, osteoarthritis, fibroblast, cell culture, molecular biology
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Semester Project , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2026-03-18 , Earliest start: 2027-01-01 , Latest end: 2027-12-31
Organization Maerz Laboratory / Musculoskeletal Bioengineering
Hosts DeJulius Carlisle
Topics Biology
How Sensory Neurons Shape Joint Function and Pain
Joint disorders and joint pain affect millions of people across all ages, yet the neuronal mechanisms that link joint mechanics to dysfunction and pain remain poorly understood. In this project, the student will explore how sensory neurons detect mechanical forces in musculoskeletal tissues and how altered sensing contributes to joint pathology and pain. The project integrates in vivo imaging, mouse genetics, and molecular profiling to study sensory neuron function during mechanical stimulation and disease. Working at the interface of neuroscience and biomechanics, the student will contribute to uncovering fundamental principles of joint somatosensation. This project is ideal for motivated students interested in sensory neuroscience, mechanobiology, and joint disorders, and offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge experimental approaches, merging biomechanics and neuroscience.
Keywords
Sensory neurons, Joint pain, Mechanosensation, In vivo imaging, Mouse genetics, Neuroscience, Biomechanics
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Semester Project , Internship , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2026-01-27 , Earliest start: 2026-01-01 , Latest end: 2026-11-01
Organization Snedeker Group / Laboratory for Orthopaedic Biomechanics
Hosts Passini Fabian
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology