Abstract: A method for the in vitro production of cartilage-like tissue is disclosed. Said method comprises the cultivation of chondrogenic cells in presence of bivalent cation dependent constituents of the extracellular matrix (BCDM) and/or human serum wherein an inhibitory activity of cartilage maturation has been selectively removed from said human serum. The resulting cartilage-like tissue can be used for the repair of chondral and/or osteochondral defects in subjects or animals.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for mechanical stimulation in vitro of tissue, wherein tissue patches (1) are retained in a tissue carrier (2), thereby presenting first surfaces (3) to be stimulated in a plane (X) and wherein a roller (4) having a second surface (5) arranged at its periphery is moved parallel to said plane (X), thereby imposing selected forces on said first surfaces (3) by said second surface (5) for stimulating the tissue patches (1). By presenting the surfaces (3) to be stimulated in a common plane (X) and by moving the roller (4) parallel to said common plane (X) of the first surfaces (3), serving several tissue carriers (2) with one roller (4) is made easy, thus integration into an industrial production is made practicable.