Max Jair Ortiz Catalan explains why his innovative idea could improve the lives of many patients in the future: “Accurate identification and reproduction of myoelectric signals could gain widespread use in rehabilitation and in the control of assistive devices. Artificial Intelligence algorithms such as Artificial Neural Networks might be able to characterise this so-called stochastic process and allow robust implementation."

Innovation for usage worldwide
Lars and Peter Karlsson also explains why their innovation has the potential to strengthening the biomaterials area all over the world: “We propose an innovation to greatly improve the synthesis between medical imaging and the ability to distribute this information globally. One intention with our innovation is to provide a novel way to enhance the communication between practitioners and engineers during the development and integration of biomedical implants or similar aids.“ 

Lars and Per Karlsson´s winning project is a web-based innovation with potential to globally strengthen the biomaterials area. Their innovation consists of an online database, 3D anatomy models and a computer tomographic library for use in teaching anatomy to veterinary and medical students. It offers considerable potential benefit as a diagnostic tool and for making prosthetic devices and could in future be of use to students and professionals worldwide. The scholarship will cover market analysis with an initial user group for evaluation.

Interesting lecturers at the Young Scientists Forum
An audience of keen biomaterials students and researchers gathered together to listen to a number of highly interesting presentations on the latest scientific advances — and a vision of the future — in the sphere of biomaterials. The lecturers were Professor Peter Thomsen and last year´s BRC scholarship winners Victoria Fröjd, Richard Frost and Luiz Meirelles. Representatives of the scholarship´s three incubators, Chalmers Innovation, GU Holding and Sahlgrenska Science Park, also attended.
 
Göteborg — a unique environment for biomaterials and regenerative medicine
Professor Peter Thomsen provided a graphic history and also sketched the fantastic future potential for the Göteborg region as regards research and business potential in the sphere of biomedicine. At the same time, he also made it clear to the students that one vital parameter for success in research into biomaterials is the feeling and motivation they have for their research work. “I ask myself every day if I really make a difference with what I do," said Peter Thomsen. “Being aware of the fact that there is a lot of suffering among people and that many of the things we research into is of considerable cost to society, I know that the answer to that question is ‘yes´".
 
Cross-functional work in biomedicine
Professor Thomsen emphasised that we have a unique environment in Göteborg, where academia, business and the medical and dental professions are integrated into one and the same geographic area, with all that implies for the cross-functional exchange of ideas and creativity in biomaterials. Professor Thomsen also pointed out a very interesting future within biomaterials research, going from simple to quite advanced solutions.
 
Exciting future in regenerative medicine
Among many things, Professor Thomsen foresees a trend towards more individual treatments, both in terms of production processes and a future combination of biological and synthetic components. “We will also see progress within areas such as organ building," said Professor Thomsen. “This is already ongoing and it is definitely an area we will see more of in the near future," Professor Thomsen concludes.
 
History paves the way for the future
The three research students and the previous winners of the BRC scholarship, Victoria Fröjd, Rickard Frost and Luiz Meirelles, also gave presentations on their latest research. Victoria Fröjd talked about “Bacterial adhesion to titanium surfaces", Richard Frost spoke about “Biomimetic model membranes and their interactions with nanosized drug carriers", while Luiz Meirelles spoke on the subject of “Bone formation and surface modifications".
 
All told it was a highly interesting and rewarding afternoon. There is no doubt that Göteborg has a robust, solid history in the biomaterials field. This year´s laureates and the various presentations show also how Göteborg, through well-planned and well-executed activities, is carefully securing its innovative future in biomaterials and regenerative medicine.  
 
GöteborgBIO congratulates the young winners Max Jair Ortiz Catalán, Lars Karlsson and Peter Karlsson and wishes them the best of luck in their continued research!
 
*In previous years, the innovation scholarships were provided by BRC alone. This year, the three incubators Chalmers Innovation, GU Holding and Sahlgrenska Science Park decided to join forces in promoting young scientists with good ideas, with the aim of helping them explore the business potential and commercial value of research ideas within the biomaterials area.
 
For more information, visit or contact the Biomaterials Research Centre (BRC)
Link: www.brc.org.gu.se