Biomaterials
The development of hemo- and tissue compatible biomaterials which are depending on their application biostabile or biodegradable, is necessary for the research areas Organ Assist Systems and Tissue Engineering.
Biostabile biomaterials are required for the development of biohybrid organ systems like e.g. an artificial liver or kidney. The required properties of the materials are haemocompatibility and tissue compatibility as well as enhancement of cell adhesion and their proliferation and functionality. Examples for biostabile materials are acrylnitril polymers, polysulfones and polyether imids.
Synthetic, biodegradable materials are required as scaffolds for the growing of tissues. These materials should define the shape of the tissues to be grown, should temporarily replace the functionality of the extra cellular matrix, enable a cell adhesive interaction with the materials, and should be degradable after a predefined time range.
Stimuli-sensitive polymer systems are supposed to be used as biomaterials. One objective for example is the development of stimuli sensitive biodegradable materials for implants. These can be implanted in their compressed (temporary) shape by little incisions and they assume the required, permanent shape after heating to blood temperature. The implant is degraded by the body after a certain time range, which avoids a second surgery for removal.
Biomimetic materials imitate chemical structures, hierarchical organisation and biological activities of nature to use the mechanisms for the development of new biomaterials. Special interest is focused on the development of cell specific materials and artificial ECM to support and control regeneration processes.
Biostabile biomaterials are required for the development of biohybrid organ systems like e.g. an artificial liver or kidney. The required properties of the materials are haemocompatibility and tissue compatibility as well as enhancement of cell adhesion and their proliferation and functionality. Examples for biostabile materials are acrylnitril polymers, polysulfones and polyether imids.
Synthetic, biodegradable materials are required as scaffolds for the growing of tissues. These materials should define the shape of the tissues to be grown, should temporarily replace the functionality of the extra cellular matrix, enable a cell adhesive interaction with the materials, and should be degradable after a predefined time range.
Stimuli-sensitive polymer systems are supposed to be used as biomaterials. One objective for example is the development of stimuli sensitive biodegradable materials for implants. These can be implanted in their compressed (temporary) shape by little incisions and they assume the required, permanent shape after heating to blood temperature. The implant is degraded by the body after a certain time range, which avoids a second surgery for removal.
Biomimetic materials imitate chemical structures, hierarchical organisation and biological activities of nature to use the mechanisms for the development of new biomaterials. Special interest is focused on the development of cell specific materials and artificial ECM to support and control regeneration processes.
