Networks to Bundle the Natural Science Lines of Research

SMART BIOTECS is one of three lines of research in the Academic Alliance between Leibniz University Hannover and the TU Braunschweig. The Alliance was initiated by members of both universities and receives financial support from the federal state of Lower Saxony. Its objective is to identify outstanding expertise at the two locations, employ strategic measures to bundle resources together and thus bolster the strength of both locations.

The excellence of the biomedical research at both universities and the complementary expertise of the two locations in Lower Saxony are reflected in the two independent research strands in SMART BIOTECS – pharmaceutical substance and implant development. Each research strand has clearly defined objectives of its own but these individual objectives are expected to lead to synergies and new methodological approaches which link the two research strands into a coherent research programme.

Pharmaceutical substance development: this research strand utilises a whole spectrum of modern tools – from molecular biology, synthetic chemistry, the engineering sciences and systems biology - to identify, synthesise and modify new pharmaceutical substances. Active mechanisms are deciphered and medicines are formulated as Smart Drugs, which play an important role for diseases of the 21st century in particular. The focus here is on neurodegenerative and infectious diseases, as well as the prevention of resistance formation. Implant development: this research strand develops intelligent implants for biomedical devices based on prosthetics and tissue-based materials which are characterised by a high level of patient safety, bio-compatibility and functionality. Its aim is to use simulation methods, novel biomaterials, and integrated sensor technology for the targeted release of pharmaceutical agents to prevent infections and the rejection of implants. The overall goal is to provide personalised biomedical products for an ageing population.

The transdisciplinary approach in SMART BIOTECS involves close collaboration of research groups from  the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
SMART BIOTECS initiatives in the Faculty of Natural Sciences include the “Alkaloid Chemistry” Junior Research Group, the “Biotesting” competence group and the new professorships in “Cell Biology” and “Synthesis Engineering”.

Spokesperson of the SMART BIOTECS line of research at Leibniz University Hannover: Prof. Dr. Thomas Scheper, Institute of Technical Chemistry
Coordinator: Dr. Iliyana Pepelanova