Biomaterials can be viewed as materials for body replacement parts that integrate with the tissue. Present implants are frequently not optimal or even fail prematurely. In particular with regard to an aging population, progress in this area would improve the quality of life. The selection of suitable materials, the manufacturing and finishing processes and finally the biocompatibility tests in vitro and in vivo require expertise in all these areas and therewith a multidisciplinary approach is essential.

Our main focus is the characterization of implant material interactions with cells, tissues and infectious microbes. Gene expression profiles are complemented by histological analyses to evaluate novel implant materials. The use of in vivo imaging allows to non-invasively monitor individual implants over extended periods of time. This technique has facilitated the development of an antibacterial coating on bioglass implants that is highly efficacious against P. aeruginosa biofilms.

We offer opportunities to students looking for an interesting Diploma or Master Thesis project.

Additional details and collaborators are given in the project D1 of the Sonderforschungsbereich 599 'Biomedizintechnik' (DFG).