Biomaterials

Without question: biomaterials are a booming area in life sciences in the Meuse Rhine Triangle. For example in Aachen’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research BIOMAT. Its aim is to research and develop new biocompatible materials for the replacement of lost organs or cellular functions. Its main research areas are artificial tissue replacement, molecular cell response to foreign materials, extracorporeal and haemodynamic material contact and tissue engineering.

Its neighbour, the Institute for Biomedical Technologies, is dedicated to the long-term stabilisation and cryo-conservation of cultivated tissue and organs. The Interfaculty Centre of Biomaterials in Liège carries out research into material synthesis, characterisation, surface coating, testing und preclinical and clinical investigation.

Companies in the biomaterials fields include Matricel, which works to repair cartilage damage by applying cultivated cartilage cells onto a matrix and implanting them into the human body. Maastricht’s Biomat focuses on tissue engineering, for example of cartilage and bone, as well as the production and testing of biocompatible polymers.