Centres of competence

• IME, Fraunhofer-Institute for Molecular Biotechnology and Applied Ecology: IME conducts research in the field of applied life sciences from a molecular level to entire ecosystems. The institute offers research and development services for medicine, agriculture and environmental protection with main emphasis on diagnosis and therapy of human, animal and plant diseases, protection and improvement of food and feed stocks, identification and assessment of risks in synthetic and biogenous substances for consumer and environment and the development of strategies for minimization of risks.

• CARIM, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht: In this prestigious national interfaculty institute over 250 scientists perform the full gamut from the molecular level through to complete patient and population research. CARIM is one of Europe’s two leading cardiovascular R&D-facilities, having garnered international recognition as a Center of Excellence in the areas of thrombosis, haemostasis, vaxular biology and heart muscle adaptation.

• NUTRIM, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht: This institute with 200 scientists is renowned for sport nutrients and clinical nutrition. Nutrition research within NUTRIM focuses particularly on research questions concerning the effects of nutrition, nutritional components and nutritional behaviour on the health of man.

• GROW, Research Institute Growth and Development: This institute aims to carry out high quality scientific research in the field of early human development (normal and abnormal growth and differentiation) and in the field of oncology (abnormal growth and differentiation).

• GIGA, Interdisciplinary Group of Applied Genoproteomics Liège: In order to continue to foster applied proteo-genomics, the University of Liège has set up an interdisciplinary research group. GIGA aims at developing a new environment to foster industrial biomedical activities. At its heart is the CBIG research centre with 24 research units and 260 staff, equipped with technological facilities available for academics and private companies. Furthermore, an incubator for biomedical spin-offs and space dedicated to biomedical companies are under development. GIGA means targeted research funding and also plans to finance pre-competitive research in the biomedical field.

• bwa, Aachen competence center for biomaterials: The centre of competence established at RWTH Aachen has the task of integrating the basic research, materials, R&D and industrial production in the field of biomaterials. The project areas are cross-disciplinary. Researchers from the natural sciences, engineering and medical faculties have already been working together successfully for over ten years in the field of "Materials in Medical Technology". The main goal of the projects is the development of implants in cooperation with the industry.

• Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering: Since its foundation in the year 1971 the Helmholtz - Institute for Biomedical Engineering as an institute of RWTH Aachen University has been acting as a bridge between the faculties of natural sciences and engineering and the medical disciplines. In 2002 the Institute was restructured fundamentally and set up as a faculty spanning consortium. The new Helmholtz – Institute for Biomedical Engineering is now being sustained by the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Sciences and Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and the Faculty of Medicine.

• AKM, Aachen competence center for medical technology: Initiated in 2000 by the German Ministry of Research and Education, AKM is one of eight competence centers for medical technology in Germany. It aims to consequently translate scientific results into economic application. AKM supports the great potential of ideas at the Universities and research institutions as well as the number of innovative start-ups.