When marine researchers and medical professionals work closely together

osteolabs GmbH is a spin-off from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. This is where the idea was born to use trace elements in the human body to achieve a previously impossible early detection of osteoporosis and also to make therapeutic success measurable. Marine researchers at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, together with physicians from the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), have developed an early detection method for osteoporosis based on an analysis method originating from marine research, which allows an early diagnosis that is much faster than conventional methods.

"We use an analysis method for calcium isotopes that only requires urine or blood for the examination," Prof. Dr. Anton Eisenhauer, marine researcher and scientific director of osteolabs GmbH. The approach met with high interest from the beginning and was funded by several public and private institutions.

"The spin-off of osteolabs GmbH is an excellent example of successful technology transfer, of good cooperation between our top-class research institutions, of innovative thinking across industry boundaries," said Karin Prien, Minister for Education, Science and Culture of the State of Schleswig-Holstein, in her welcoming address at the spin-off ceremony. "In Schleswig-Holstein we have excellent marine research of the highest international reputation. That is why I am very pleased that the focus is not only on scientific publications, but that results and ideas are also exploited economically and are put into practice in new, innovative companies," said Prien.

The osteolabs team was deliberately put together in an interdisciplinary and heterogeneous way and today consists of researchers, doctors, laboratory managers, entrepreneurs as well as technical and financial experts. Our know-how spectrum therefore also ranges from medicine to physics and chemistry to medical technology, statistics and business administration.

Research projects

We continue to be active in the research area. One of our alliance partners with regard to chronic musculoskeletal diseases is BlueHealthTech. You can view more information about this project via this link: BlueHealthTech