Materials in Medicine
Research aimed at developing and improving biomaterials that can be used in hard tissue applications or as drug delivery systems.
Welcome to the Materials in Medicine (MiM) group.
Our research focuses on the interaction between synthetic materials and living tissues. We seek to understand this interaction and use it to develop biomaterials for medical devices and drug delivery systems. Our group is formed by a multidisciplinary staff with backgrounds in materials science, chemistry, and biotechnology.
We conduct applied research in close collaboration with both industry and clinicians at the national and international level.
We teach on the Bachelor Programme in Biomedical Engineering, the Master Programme in Materials Engineering, and Master's Programme in Additive Manufacturing.
We are located at the Ångström Laboratory. The MiM group was established in 2005 and is lead by Professor Håkan Engqvist.
What is biomaterial?
A biomaterial is a material that is used to fabricate an implant or medical device intended to interact with biological systems. Biomaterials are used in many applications such as: joint replacements (hip, knee), plates and screws for fracture fixation, bone cements for vertebroplasty, bone void fillers for bony defect repair, artificial tendons and ligaments, dental implants for tooth fixation, blood vessel prostheses, heart valves, catheters, artificial hearts, skin repair templates, heart-lung machines, cochlear replacements, intraocular lenses, etc. The global biomaterials market is expected to reach 117 billion € by 2020.
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Our research
At Materials in Medicine we research the interactions between synthetic materials and living tissues from the nano- to the macro-level. We innovate by developing better biomaterials solutions for medical devices and drug delivery systems, and focus on investigating the mechanical and the biological response. For more information, do not hesitate to contact our research leaders by clicking on the links below.
Injectable biomaterials
Research in Ceramic cements for bone regeneration, Injectable granules and Synthetic bone grafts
Contact: Håkan Engqvist and Wei Xia
High performance glass-ceramic and ceramics
Research in Translucent, high-strength ceramics for dental applications and Silicon nitride ceramics for spinal applications.
Contact: Håkan Engqvist and Wei Xia
Metallic implants and their modicifcation
Research in Antibacterial titanium based alloys and Solution-based bioactive ceramic coatings.
Contact: Håkan Engqvist and Caroline Öhman
Adhesive biomaterials
Research in Resorbable inorganic/organic tissue adhesives.
Contact: Håkan Engqvist
Drug Delivery
Research in Ceramics for oral and transdermal drug delivery and Inhalation.
Kontakt: Håkan Engqvist och Wei Xia
Additiv Manufacturing of biomaterials
Research in 3D printing of ceramics and composites.
Contact: Håkan Engqvist and Wei Xia
Biological response to biomaterials
Research in the effects of nanoparticles on bone formation and Molecular basis of pyrophosphate stimulated bone regeneration
Want to know more?
Håkan Engqvist and Wei Xia were interviewed by the Swedish Radio about our group's work with new superstrong dental biomaterials. Listen to the radio interview.
SVT: "Nytt material ska ge snyggare och starkare tandproteser".
New biomaterials can enable patient-specific treatments
Cecilia Persson introduced our group at the opening ceremony of Medtech Science & Innovation Centre in Uppsala on June 14th, 2017.
Look at her presentation (in Swedish) and learn more about MiM's contribution to developing new functional material for treating bone fractures.