Special Interview with Prof. Raymund E. Horch
On March 3, 2025, the Editorial Office of Plastic and Aesthetic Research (PAR) had the honor of interviewing Prof. Raymund E. Horch, the Associate Editor and Guest Editor of the journal.
Prof. Raymund E. Horch, MD, is a Professor of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Chairman of the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, and Director of the Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany.
Beyond his clinical research projects, Prof. Horch has been a pioneer in the field of tissue engineering since its inception. His contributions include advancing cultured keratinocyte transplantation by exploring single-cell suspensions in fibrin sealant and integrating three-dimensional vascularization of tissue-engineered matrices using microsurgical arteriovenous loops. These innovations, combined with material research for various tissue types, have paved the way for the application of tissue engineering techniques in angiogenesis and cancer research.
Prof. Horch has authored or co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters on various aspects of reconstructive surgery, with a particular focus on microsurgical techniques, including transplantation, breast reconstruction, aesthetic surgery, grafting techniques, and tissue engineering approaches. Additionally, he has contributed to the development of novel treatment modalities for severe wounds and burns. As an editor of multiple books, Prof. Horch has been widely recognized for his clinical and experimental scientific achievements and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field.
Research Interests
- Plastic and Hand Surgery, Tissue Engineering;
- Cell cultures for tissue regeneration, material science, and complex biological systems;
- Vascularization and angiogenesis in Tissue Engineering through microsurgical techniques;
- Research on Topical Negative Pressure application in tissue and wound healing;
- Prefabrication of newly generated composite tissues;
- Development of new microsurgical methods
The recording of this interview can be found below:
1. What initially inspired you to specialize in plastic surgery and tissue engineering?
2. As Director of the Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, what key breakthroughs have emerged from your team’s work?
3. We noticed that you have also published an excellent article recently in 2025 titled “Growth factors IGF-1 and KGF and adipose-derived stem cells promote migration and viability of primary human keratinocytes in an in vitro wound model” in Frontiers in Medicine. How do you envision the integration of ADSC-CM into current wound care protocols for chronic wound management? What are the key advantages and potential challenges compared to existing therapeutic options?
4. How do you see stem cell therapies integrating with tissue engineering approaches in reconstructive surgery?
5. In your opinion, what will be the next breakthrough in microsurgical reconstructive surgery?
6. What strategies would you recommend to enhance the global recognition and influence of PAR while maintaining high editorial standards?
7. What advice would you give to young surgeons and researchers aspiring to enter the field of plastic surgery and tissue engineering?
To learn more about Prof. Raymund E. Horch, please visit:
https://sciprofiles.com/profile/1209762
Editor: Frida Yuan
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Plastic and Aesthetic Research
