Collaborative Research Centre 599: “Biomedical Technology”

"Sustainable bioresorbable and permanent implants of metallic and ceramic materials"

The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 599, “Sustainable bioresorbable and permanent implants of metallic and ceramic materials”, is an initiative of the Leibniz University of Hannover in conjunction with the Medical University of Hannover (MHH) and Hannover School of Veterinary Medicine (TiHo). The CRC is administratively run from the Centre of Biomedical Engineering (zbm), an institute within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Leibnitz University of Hannover. The spokesman of this technology-heavy CRC, Professor Thomas Lenarz, is from the medical field, which immediately makes clear the interdisciplinary focus of this project.

CRC 599 (also titled “Biomedical Technology” for short) is dedicated to fundamental research aimed at developing improved implants in order to benefit patients and reduce costs. The goal is - through innovations in materials, production and processing, and in the functionalisation, simulation, optimisation and testing of implants and their electrochemistry in interaction with biological materials - to maximize physicochemical and mechanical biofunctionality. Materials science-related approaches (drawn from the engineering and natural sciences) to temporary and permanent implants are to be tested both in vitro (in the test tube) and in vivo (in the living organism), characterised in terms of the underlying cell biology and represented using technical and medical simulation models. To ensure biocompatibility, the nature and composition of the material and the implant surface will be modified and adjusted using new methods.

The problem-solving approaches adopted by the Collaborative Research Centre for Biomedical Technology should answer not only unresolved questions in medicine; the new knowledge will also shed light on aspects of the engineering and natural sciences. Furthermore, this CRC will, on a lasting basis, deepen the collaboration between the specialist disciplines involved and provide promising young scientists with a unique opportunity to experience interdisciplinary work.

As a multidisciplinary initiative, this CRC is unique in Germany in terms of the interdependence that exists between materials sciences, human and animal medicine, with cell biology also fully integrated. To create a reliable basis for forward-looking science across a broad spectrum – and, in this project, this applies to the complex state of affairs with regard to use of implant material – it is necessary to promote very close networking and cooperation between disciplines, as is the case here. Because of this situation it is necessary (more so than for other CRCs) to provide parallel assistance to scientists from different fields, such as a physician and a natural scientist, within a single subproject. This will result in the project aims being pursued particularly effectively, and in close alliance between the various subject areas.