Lighthouse Project BioMedTech Research Campus

Immunological reactions on medical surfaces

Prediction of material incompatibilities

Construction of a material collection

Prediction of material incompatibilities

Following implantation of a medical device, complex immunological reactions such as inflammation, sensitization or rejection occur as a result of contact with foreign material. These interactions with the immune system are the main factors for the functionality of an implant and equally responsible for possible side effects for the patient. The cellular reaction cascades are the focus of the current NMI lighthouse project "Systems Immunology at Biological-Technical Interfaces", which is funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of immune responses to various materials and material surfaces in order to be able to manufacture new medical products in the future based on knowledge.

Structure of a material collection

Within the project, more than 200 biomaterials such as plastics, metals, ceramics and biopolymers will be chemically and physically characterized to build up a classified collection of materials. To investigate immunological reaction profiles at the material interfaces, biological in vitro assay methods will be developed and evaluated in a holistic, systems immunology approach. Based on a database of these results, a reliable prediction of material incompatibilities will be possible.

To this end, the NMI is working with three partners from the University of Tübingen, a working group from Reutlingen University and three biotechnology companies with strong research capabilities in a research campus "under one roof".

A further 20 national and international companies from the medical technology sector and biotechnology are supporting the joint project with advice and assistance and the supply of relevant materials as members of an industrial steering committee.