Biomaterials

Explore the transformative realm of biomaterials at our symposium dedicated to uniting leaders from science, technology, and biomedicine. Immerse yourself in the intricate world of biomaterial synthesis, characterization, testing, and application. The event promises deep insights into the vast interconnected sectors of medical devices, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. By looking at the interdisciplinary challenges and advancements in the field, we hope to foster a community where materials scientists, biologists, chemists, and medical professionals can discuss, collaborate, and innovate. Together, let's revolutionize the future of biomaterials in a demanding biological environment.

🇮🇹 Includes Guest Country Symposium Organizers from Italy

The ubiquitous presence of micro- and nanoplastics in our environment poses significant biological risks, entering and accumulating in the food chain. Their interaction with biological systems raises concerns about the potential for physical obstruction, chemical toxicity, and the transport of invasive species and pollutants.

Research in this field is advancing our understanding of the mechanisms by which micro- and nanoplastics impact biological processes, including cellular uptake, physiological stress responses, and potential disruptions to endocrine and immune systems. The physical and chemical properties of the particles fundamentally influence their interaction with and thus effects on biological systems. This symposium aims to bring together experts studying the biological effects of micro- and nanoplastics, addressing critical challenges to ecological and human health. Focus will be given on the role of biomaterials as enabling tools to open new avenues in the understanding of the toxicity of micro amd nanoplastics through e.g. the realisation of biomimetic models of toxicity sensitive environments (e.g. barrier tissues and organs).

Biofabrication is a key biomedical technology for growing living tissue. These can be used both as implants in the field of regenerative medicine and as miniaturized organ analogues in pharmaceutical research. Another emerging field is the use of biofabrication methods to manufacture products in the field of cellular agriculture, such as cultivated meat. In addition to cell colonization techniques of scaffolds and injection molding of hydrogel-cell formulations, additive manufacturing of tissues by 3D bioprinting takes a central role in biofabrication. Here, bioinks consisting of living cells embedded in hydrogels are applied layer by layer to build up a pre-defined 3D structure. Following the manufacturing step, the prepared tissue precursors undergo a post-fabrication maturation phase. During this time the cell-hydrogel structure mature into a compact living tissue that possess similar biological functionality comparable to the native counterpart.

The symposium will focus on presenting the latest findings in the field of biofabrication and 3D-bioprinting. Presentations on all relevant bio-manufacturing methods, such as cell seeding, molding and 3D-bioprinting, and novel bioink formulations are welcome. Special attention will be given to presentation that demonstrate application of the produced tissues in the clinical, pharmaceutical or food context. Furthermore, scientists and industrial partners that develop novel biofabrication methods or technologies that enable digitalization, process automation or scaling of biofabrication/bioprinting methods are invited. Finally yet importantly, fusion of microfluidics with printed cell entities in so called Organs-on-a-Chip as well as targeted manipulation of cell-biomaterial interfaces are topics of high interest for the session.

Bio-based and living biomaterials represent a rapidly advancing field that encompasses the use of biological substances and systems to develop sustainable materials with tailored structure-function-relationships.

Bio-based biomaterials are wholly or partly derived from natural sources, including proteins or polysaccharides from animals, plants or microorganisms. Their inherent biocompatibility and bioactivity make them ideal for a wide range of applications spanning biotechnology, drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound care and soft tissue reconstruction.

Living biomaterials are fabricated by integrating pro- or eukaryotic cells with synthetic or biological materials. These materials combine the advantages of tunable, non-living matter with the dynamics, adaptability and responsiveness of living systems.

This interdisciplinary symposium aims to bring together scientists who harness the structural and functional characteristics of biological and living systems to develop new biomaterial platforms and processing strategies. Emerging applications in regenerative medicine, biotechnology and environmental technology, which will result from novel bio-based and living material systems, will also be highlighted.

This symposium will attract experts working in the broad field of biomedical applications of materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and their composites. Presentations will include topics ranging from biomedical implants, coatings, and surface treatment of biomaterials to novel biomaterial approaches for tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biofabrication. Thus biomedical applications of both permanent and biodegradable materials will be considered in this symposium. Moreover, advanced methods for the characterization and testing of biomaterials in in-vivo relevant conditions will also be considered, emphasizing the tissue/biomaterial interface and interactions. Other topics will include innovative multifunctional bioactive coatings for biomedical devices and tailored surface functionalization approaches for eliciting specific biological responses. Biomaterial-based approaches to develop advanced scaffolds for tissue regeneration will also be covered in this symposium. New concepts directed at the development of multifunctional scaffolds (next-generation scaffolds) will be presented, which can have a drug delivery or biomolecular signaling function, thus providing enhanced support to cell attachment, growth, and proliferation. The symposium will offer an excellent forum to present and discuss the most recent and relevant contributions to the application of materials in the biomedical field, bringing together material scientists, biologists, pharmacists, tissue engineers, and medical doctors.

The oral presentations shall address these topics:

• Bioactive materials as dense and porous implants
• Functionally-graded biomaterials
• Scaffolds for tissue engineering and biofabrication application
• Cells/Biomaterial Interface Interactions
• Biodegradable materials and medical devices
• Clinical applications
• Materials for controlled drug delivery

Additive manufacturing represents an established fabrication strategy, with accessible and affordable commercial equipment solutions. Materials used for 3D printing include metals, ceramics, and polymers, which can be almost arbitrarily shaped via a plethora of fabrication techniques, including, e.g., fused deposition modelling, selective laser sintering, and digital light processing.

Yet, when the dimensions of the features to be fabricated approach the micrometre scale, difficulties arise due to technological limitations and loss of performance of the materials adopted. This is even more daunting when microstructures for biological purposes are considered. Besides aiming at overcoming the technological challenges of (sub)micron processing, current research is also addressing the establishment of novel materials with unprecedented properties and functionalities.

The symposium aims at collecting excellent pieces of research on innovative materials for 3D microprinting. Regardless of the microfabrication techniques used (e.g., direct laser writing, multiphoton lithography, stereolithography, etc.), contributors will have the chance to present their most recent advancements in the field. Reports on biocompatible and stimuli-responsive materials, surface functionalization strategies, as well as cross-disciplinary approaches will be given high relevance.

By gathering together chemists, materials scientists, physicists and biologists, the Symposium will encourage dissemination of novel ideas to a broad audience, stimulate discussion, and promote further innovation.

Metallic materials (both degradable and non-degradable) remain important in medical applications, ranging from biomedical implants and surgical tools to biomedical sensors. However, improving antibacterial activity and biocompatibility while adjusting mechano-, chemical- and physical properties to encourage cell adhesion, selection of right coatings and biocompatibility remains challenging.

Furthermore, managing the rate at which degradable metals break down while encouraging tissue regeneration is becoming increasingly challenging as these materials become more prevalent in clinical settings. Additionally, there is a tendency towards individualisation in metallic implants, where the geometry and mechanical, chemical and physical properties can be customised to meet the specific needs of individual patients. Advanced surface processing and new steps towards the fifth generation of additive-manufactured biomedical materials and new or adapted machining of them are therefore greatly needed. Furthermore, the development of metals and alloys for biomedical applications and organic and biodegradable coatings that minimise negative effects is of great importance.

The proposed symposium will highlight recent developments in these fields during the conference, emphasising the ongoing importance of metals in the study and development of machining, processing of metals and selection of right coatings.

The following contributions are invited for submission to this symposium:

• Machining of metals and alloys for biomaterials
• Processing of metals and alloys for biomaterials
• Coatings for biomedical materials
• Material degradation (corrosion and tribological testing)
• Metals and alloys in medicine
• Enhancement of biocompatibility of metallic implants
• Development of biomimetic design for metallic implants

Some medical implants serve a vital yet temporary role in the body, supporting the healing process before they are no longer needed. In recent years, biodegradable materials have emerged as a ground-breaking innovation in implant technology, offering a transformative advantage—dissolving naturally over time, eliminating the need for surgical removal, and reducing risks associated with long-term implantation. This advancement not only streamlines patient recovery but also opens new frontiers in medical science. The selection of materials for biodegradable implants is broad and multidisciplinary, encompassing metals (e.g., Mg, Zn, Fe), ceramics (e.g., hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass), and polymers (e.g., PLA, PCL). This symposium is dedicated to exploring the diverse landscape of biodegradable implant development and its potential to revolutionize patient care.

Topics to be covered in the symposium include but are not limited to:

• Implant fabrication
• Biodegradation of implants
• Mechanics of implants
• Cells/implant interaction
• In silico studies
• Clinical application

Bioceramics and bioactive glasses are used as biomaterials in medicine, particularly to replace or regenerate bone tissue damaged by trauma or other degenerative diseases. They are also used in restorative dentistry or tooth remineralization. More recently, they have been investigated for applications in soft tissue such as the skin. However, in spite of several bioceramic-based devices having successfully transitioned to the clinic, some open questions remain including the use for drug delivery or biomechanical performance.

The aim of this symposium is to explore recent advances in the design, processing, functionalization and characterization of bioceramics, bioactive glasses and related materials for use in healthcare, encompassing applications as orthopedic implants, dental materials, scaffolds for tissue regeneration or drug delivery systems but also wound healing, theranostics or cancer treatment. The Symposium will host presentations discussing current challenges and presenting emerging research themes including new chemical and technological approaches for the synthesis and processing of these materials and devices such as bio-inspired processes, additive manufacturing methods or studies on improving bioactivity or bio-functionality. Case studies of successful translation of materials to medical devices and clinical tests are also warmly welcome.

Relevant symposium topics include but are not limited to:

• Scaffolds for hard/soft tissues regeneration
• Structural bioceramics for orthopedics and dental applications
• Drug delivery systems
• Bioactive glasses and ceramics for wound healing
• Antibacterial or immunomodulating bioceramics and bioactive glasses
• 3D printing of bioceramics and bioactive glasses
• Modeling for development and design of novel bioceramics/bioglasses
• Cell/tissue-biomaterials interaction in vitro and in vivo