December NUI Galway to Lead European BioImplant Innovate Training Network

BioImplant Innovative Training Network (ITN) is an ambitious European Industrial Doctorate programme coordinated by NUI Galway, that will provide world-class multidisciplinary training to 12 early-stage researchers in the area of bioabsorbable medical implant development.

BioImplant is being led by Dr Ted Vaughan, a Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Informatics, along with his colleagues in the Biomechanics Research Centre at NUI Galway, Professor Peter McHugh and Dr William Ronan. The research programme will target the development of next-generation bioabsorbable medical implants, which has been a strategic priority area for researchers at NUI Galway for the past number of years.

Bioabsorbable materials are a category of biomaterial that gradually degrade when implanted in the body. These biomaterials have the potential to form the basis for the next-generation of vascular and orthopaedic medical implants, for example, bone screws/plates, as they can reduce the need for implant removal surgeries associated with conventional permanent implants.

The BioImplant Innovative Training Network programme will tackle key technological challenges in this area by bringing together EU partners with leading academic, industry and clinical expertise to develop innovative biomaterials with application potential in vascular and orthopaedic implants.

Speaking about the programme, Dr Ted Vaughan at NUI Galway, said: “The BioImplant ITN will provide a unique opportunity for 12 early-stage researchers to acquire world-class multidisciplinary training in the area of bioabsorbable medical implant development. Furthermore, the research programme will significantly advance current bioabsorbable material technologies and maximise their commercial potential for both orthopaedic and vascular implant applications.”

The BioImplant consortium spans four EU countries, comprising of Academic (NUI Galway, Queens University Belfast, RWTH Aachen, IMDEA Materials Institute and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid), Industry (Boston Scientific, Galway, Meotec Gmbh, Aachen, ITA Gmbh, Aachen and Vascular Flow Technologies, Dundee) and Clinical (University Hospital Aachen) participants.

The multidisciplinary training programme delivered to early-stage researchers during the BioImplant Innovative Training Network programme will enhance career development and employability, promoting their development into leading innovators in the European Medical Technology sector.

The BioImplant ITN programme is worth a total of €3.3 million and is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks.

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