Our Scientific Research | IMAGE REGENERATIVE

Advancing Regenerative Medicine Through Innovation

At Image Milano, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of regenerative medicine through rigorous scientific research. Our clinic actively supports and participates in cutting-edge studies to enhance the understanding and clinical applications of microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) technology. Under the guidance of Professor Carlo Tremolada, the inventor of the Lipogems® technology, we collaborate with prestigious universities and research centers worldwide to explore new frontiers in regenerative therapy.

MFAT (Microfragmented Adipose Tissue) is a regenerative substance derived from a patient's own fat, processed using Lipogems® technology to preserve stem cells and growth factors that naturally stimulate healing and tissue regeneration.

Collaborations and Publications

Our research network extends across Europe, including partnerships with:

University of Milan
University of Eastern Piemonte
University of Manchester (UK)
Carlo Besta Neurological Institute
Veterinary Hospital of Lodi

For a complete list of our scientific publications and research collaborations, please contact us.

Our Research Focus Areas

Molecular Characterization of Regenerative Factors

Exploring the Science Behind Tissue Regeneration

Our research on regenerative medicine is developed in close collaboration with prestigious universities and international research centers, including the University of Milan, the University of Eastern Piedmont and the University of Manchester (UK).

Together with our scientists, these academic institutions carry out advanced studies to understand and optimize the therapeutic potential of microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), with a focus on tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Thanks to an in-depth analysis of the secretome – the set of biomolecules released by MFAT – we explore the biological mechanisms that regulate cell growth, tissue repair and intercellular communication.

Our research focuses on:

Growth factors and cytokines, key regulators of cell proliferation and healing

Lipidomics, to understand the role of bioactive lipid mediators in regeneration

Exosomes, sophisticated vectors of biological signals between cells

Anti-inflammatory molecules, which modulate the immune response and promote healing

Angiogenic factors, essential for the formation of new blood vessels and tissue repair

These studies, published in prestigious scientific journals (Stem Cell Int. 2019, Vasc Cell 2016, Br J Anaesth. 2018), not only expand scientific knowledge, but have a direct impact on clinical protocols adopted by Image Milano, ensuring advanced treatments based on the latest scientific evidence.

The ultimate goal? Bringing science to the service of regenerative medicine, developing increasingly targeted and effective solutions for the well-being and health of our patients.

MFAT as a Natural Drug Delivery System

Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment Approaches

The Importance of Research for the Future of Medicine

This research represents a significant step towards a future where cancer treatments are increasingly personalized, effective, and less invasive. The use of MFAT as a drug carrier could open new avenues in the fight against cancer, offering new hope to patients with complex oncological diseases. Established scientific evidence (Alessandri G. et al., Journal of Controlled Release 2019, Cancers Basel 2021) and preclinical studies have demonstrated that adipose tissue, after being processed with the Lipogems® device, acquires the extraordinary ability to absorb and release chemotherapeutic drugs such as Taxol (PTX) in a localized manner. This process opens new perspectives in the fight against cancer, allowing for more effective and targeted therapeutic action.

Scientific Results and Clinical Developments

Preclinical studies have shown that MFAT loaded with PTX, once positioned in the vicinity of a tumor, is able to induce its regression.
Veterinary clinical trials, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Offer Zeira at the Veterinary Hospital of Lodi, have confirmed the effectiveness of the treatment on brain tumors in dogs.
Development of human clinical procedures: thanks to the collaboration between Image, Dr. Giulio Alessandri and neurosurgeons at the Carlo Besta Neurological Institute in Milan, the drafting of a clinical protocol to apply the MFAT-PTX treatment in glioblastoma therapy, one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat brain tumors, is in an advanced stage.

Dermatological Applications of MFAT

Pioneering Autologous Skincare Solutions

A New Approach to Regenerative Beauty

Initiated in early 2023 on the initiative of Dr. Elena Colombani, this research aims to create an autologous beauty cream derived from MFAT for the topical treatment of:

Wrinkles and signs of aging

Skin discolorations and imperfections

Stimulation of hair regrowth

The project explores the potential of MFAT in the formulation of products for aesthetic use that offer lasting and safe results, leveraging the regenerative properties of the patient's own cells.

Scientific Evidence and Research Developments

In vitro tests on human skin models to analyze the functional characteristics of MFAT, with particular attention to cell proliferation, inflammation and antioxidant activity.
Safety studies that have confirmed that products derived from the MFAT secretome do not stimulate the growth of tumor cells, ensuring safe use in aesthetic treatments.
Collaboration with lyophilization centers at the University of Eastern Piedmont and Perugia to develop a lyophilized MFAT product, capable of preserving its biological properties over time and allowing for prolonged and repeatable treatments.

Milano Longevity Week 2025

Carlo Tremolada

21 aprile 2025

At Milano Longevity Week 2025, IMAGE Scientific Director Professor Carlo Tremolada shared groundbreaking clinical results from over 170,000 Lipogems® treatments worldwide. His presentation demonstrated how regenerative medicine has evolved from future promise to present reality, with documented success treating professional athletes' injuries and achieving remarkable aesthetic outcomes. Professor Tremolada highlighted that Lipogems® is already FDA-cleared and gaining insurance reimbursement in multiple countries, distinguishing it from experimental therapies. The presentation reinforced IMAGE Regenerative Clinic's leadership in making advanced regenerative treatments accessible today, bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical clinical applications.

Why Our Research Matters

Scientific Research: Innovation that Redefines Regenerative Medicine

Scientific research is the pillar upon which medical progress is built, and Image embodies a cutting-edge vision that unites innovation and scientific rigor. Our commitment extends well beyond aesthetic medicine: we support and promote pioneering studies aimed at revolutionizing the very concept of care, from tissue regeneration to the fight against complex and degenerative pathologies.

The Pride of Image Research: A Tangible Excellence

What makes Image a point of reference is not only the high quality of treatments, but our constant dedication to scientific research, which allows us to transform laboratory discoveries into concrete clinical solutions. By deepening the most advanced mechanisms of regenerative medicine, we continuously refine our protocols to guarantee patients elite treatments, based on certified scientific evidence and cutting-edge technologies.

Our mission is not just an advertising slogan, but a real commitment: Image invests in and sponsors research that sets the pace of innovation, contributing to the evolution of regenerative medicine with increasingly effective, safe, and personalized solutions.