A new transregional special research area SFB/Transregio 37 with the title “Micro and nanosystems in medicine – Reconstruction of biological functions” was able to be successfully established in Hannover. The spokesman for this SFB is Dr. Axel Haverich of MHH. The goal of this special research area is to develop new innovative micro and nanosystems in medicine which will be ultimately used in a clinical setting for the benefit of patients through the transdisciplinary cooperation of the different scientific areas Engineering and Natural Sciences as well as Human and Veterinary Medicine. The focus here lies in the reconstruction of biological functions.

The development of new multifunctional and hybrid materials for biological and medical applications is currently one of the most innovative research fields. One area of application, for example, is that of Dr. Thomas Lenarz’s work conducted at the MHH on cell stimulation of inner ear hair cells. The research fields for biomaterial research are closely associated with the development of chemical and biochemical sensors, the recognition of premature tissue damage, the dispensing of medications, hydrogels, membranes and artificial organs or tissue. Nature supplies many examples of biomimetic materials in the form of organic-inorganic components such as bones, teeth, mussels and mother-of-pearl. Based on these biological examples, new, innovative biological materials (Biometrics) can be designed through self-organisation or direct structuring.