Press Releases 2024

The Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, with its long-term expertise in cell models and toxicology, contributes to a new EU-funded project on health risks of endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are chemical substances that may mimic endogenous hormones and thereby interfere with the endocrine system. The EU-funded research project »ENDOMIX«, started in January 2024, aims to comprehensively unravel how exposure to everyday chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties affect human health. The researchers will also elaborate recommendations to reduce exposure to these chemicals and minimize thereby health risks.

As part of the Fraunhofer Center for Sensor Intelligence ZSI, the intelligent and flexible ultrasonic sensor system “SonoOne” was developed according to the modular principle. “SonoOne” can serve the rapidly developing ultrasound market, especially in the field of portable systems, with innovative and highly flexible products. On the hardware side, “SonoOne” consists of cost-effective, matchbox-sized modules that can be easily combined and configured into a complete system for a wide variety of applications and, thanks to the modular concept, can be used universally for a wide range of acoustic measurement tasks.

Fraunhofer researchers have developed a technology that uses ultrasound signals for targeted stimulation of certain areas of the brain. A special ultrasound system with 256 individually controllable transducers makes it possible to target and stimulate individual points deep inside the brain with sound signals. In the future, the innovative 3D sound technology from the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT could be used to treat diseases and conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, depression, addiction, and even the aftereffects of stroke.

Many new drug candidates end up failing because they cause serious side effects in clinical trials even though lab tests involving cell cultures have been successful. This is a common occurrence if the cells used come from animal tissue, for example. Specially prepared cell cultures made from human tissue known as human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells enable greater reliability in testing, thereby also increasing the chances that a drug will be approved. Fraunhofer researchers have developed innovative solutions for optimized production of cells in bioreactors and unique cryotechnologies. This is paving the way for efficient real-world use of these cell cultures in toxicity testing.and drug discovery.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT signed letters of intent for future cooperation with Korea Conformity Laboratories KCL and KIST Europe on April 16, 2024 in Sulzbach, Saarland.

Memory impairment, orientation problems and speech difficulties can be signs of the onset of Alzheimer's dementia. This disease is not yet curable, but its progression can be slowed down with medication and supportive measures. The EU project "CombiDiag" is a doctoral network funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions of Horizon Europe, aiming to train ten doctoral students in the field of multimodal peripheral markers and their combinatorial use for the diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). A combinatorial diagnostic protocol may serve as a crucial tool for accurate screening and identification of patients in the earliest stages of AD, before irreversible damage and associated symptoms occur. The aim of the "CombiDiag" project is to develop disease-modifying measures and treatments. The Fraunhofer IBMT is contributing its expertise in the development of printed electrodes for biosensor applications and microfluidics to the project.

The EU project "ArtPlac" is a preclinical research project to develop an innovative technology for medical treatments in neonatal intensive care. The project involves an international research team of physicians and engineers, supported by an organization that represents the interests of premature and newborn babies and their families. The Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT is contributing its expertise in the development of microfluidic systems and sensor development and integration to the project. The aim of the project is to develop a combined lung and kidney support device for connection to the umbilical vessels. The device enables a less invasive approach than the therapies currently in use. This new approach should reduce the risk and medical burden for the newborn.