AO Exploratory Research

The mission of AO Exploratory Research (AOER) is to foster and expand a network of scientific professionals that focus on true novel approaches and theories in two focus fields of musculoskeletal science, and to translate emerging knowledge and expertise to the benefit of the AO Mission.


AOER Consortium Funding Strategy

AO Exploratory Research (AOER) has adopted a funding strategy which is novel within the AO Foundation (AOF). Instead of funding “stand-alone” projects of individual research teams, the AO Exploratory Research Board (AOERB) is funding research consortia which work collaboratively, on a peer to peer basis, towards the solution of a clinical problem. Consortium funds are distributed to the research partners based on their project contributions. All project applications are peer reviewed by external reviewers.


AOER Focus Fields

  • Bone repair / regeneration
    Mechanisms, bone induction / repair, bone substitute, implant design
  • Cartilage-disc repair / regeneration
    Mechanisms, inflammation, replacement, implant design

AOER Collaborative Research Programs (CRPs)

Within each focus field there are one or two collaborative research programs (CRPs). Each CRP is composed of an international, interdisciplinary network of research teams which work on collaborative projects towards the consortium goal.
To ensure proper function of the network a “primus inter pares” from the AO Research Institute (ARI) is responsible for the scientific coordination. The ARI is a mandatory partner in each AOERB funded consortium.

  • Large Bone Defect Healing (LBDH)  
    This program is aimed at developing solutions for large bone defect healing in adverse environments, a problem faced by many orthopedic trauma surgeons.
  • Annulus Fibrosus Rupture (AFR)  
    This program is aimed at developing solutions for treatment of annulus fibrosus rupture.
    Acute Cartilage Injury (ACI)  
    This program is aimed at assessing problems of acute cartilage injury and at developing solutions for treatment.

AOER Board 


AOER News 

The 5th Annual General Meeting of CRP LBDH will be held September 23-24, 2010 in Boston, USA. More details will become available soon.