Biomedical Material Sciences

Biomedical Material Sciences involve customization of materials for medical applications. Examples of these applications include artificial skin, vascular and cardiovascular implants and devices, bone graft substitutes, new prosthetic devices, dental materials etc. Application in this field have been rapidly expanding, due to the imagination of biomedical material scientists and them identifying appropriate applications in consultation with the clinicians, resulting in interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Recently, materials used in medicine (biomaterials) have made enormous impact on the repair and replacement of injured and diseased part of the human body and the field is growing at a rapid pace.

Uses of Biomaterials increased rapidly in the late 1800s, particularly after the advent of aseptic techniques by Dr. Joseph Lister in 1860s. The first metal devices to fix bone fracture were used early in nineteenth century. Total hip replacement prosthesis was implanted in 1938. In 1940s, many surgical specialties were transformed by the introduction of implantable medical devices, and patients benefited from the newly developed absorbable sutures. The devices were, however, fabricated from only a small list of metals, polymers, and ceramics.

During the 1960s, a wide range of novel materials were developed both for medical and non-medical applications, as a number of newly developed materials showed promise for the production of medical devices. This was only possible due to the imagination of the biomaterial scientists and their understanding of the material properties. During 1970s to 1990s, a number of new synthetic absorbable and non-absorbable polymers; biologically-derived materials, bio-derived macromolecules, coatings and tissue adhesives for a myriad of clinical applications were introduced. This was the era, when the field of biomedical materials was truly established. The applications included blood-contacting devices and implants, soft tissue devices for repair and soft tissue reconstruction, dental materials, orthopedic devices to aid bone repair and replace damaged bone and joints, and wound dressings for large area damage to skin from trauma, ulcers and burns. By the turn of the 21st century, the explosion of biomedical materials was clear; this explosion was coming in the use of absorbable biomaterials for the fabrication of scaffolds for the synthesis of tissue in vitro (tissue engineering) and as implants to facilitate the regeneration of tissue in vivo (regenerative medicine).

While the implementation of some of the biomedical materials may be for medical reasons such as the replacement of diseased tissues required to extend life expectancies, other reasons may include purely aesthetic ones including breast implants. This increasing demand arises from an ageing population with higher quality of life expectations. The biomaterial scientists are producing new and improved implantable materials and techniques to meet this demand, but also to aid the treatment of younger patients where the necessary properties are even more demanding.
A counter force to this technological push is the increasing level of regulation and the threat of litigation. To meet these conflicting needs it is necessary to have reliable methods of characterization of the material and material/host tissue interactions. In a Muslim country like Pakistan, it is always imperative to select a biomaterial from halal sources. This increases the importance of research and development to devise novel methods of biomedical material technology in Pakistan.

Millions of lives have been saved by Biomedical Materials and the quality of life for millions more is improved every year. Still many unanswered questions regarding the biological response to biomaterials and the optimal role of biomaterials in tissue regeneration, continue to motivate biomaterial research and new product development. It has become multi billion dollar industry, creating millions of jobs. Pakistan is one of the leading producers of surgical instruments (Sialkot) and yet there is no research being undertaken in Pakistan in the field of biomedical materials. Both universities and industries in Pakistan should take a leading role in the production of biomedical materials. In addition to hundreds and thousands of patients needing routine replacement surgeries, the recent earth quake in northern Pakistan, where thousands have lost their limbs, has further emphasized the importance of this type of research and development in Pakistan.

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Lahore has established an educational and research Institute to produce professionals to fulfill these needs. This centre of excellence is inherent by multi-disciplinarily in nature and has the ability to respond to new developments that cut across subject boundaries so as to translate fundamental research into clinical use.

Our aim is to use our knowledge of materials and apply it for the benefits of patients, by involving scientists, engineers and clinicians, demonstrating the added value of the Interdisciplinary Research Centre (IRC) in Biomedical Materials mode of support. In future, The IRC shall be developed into a national focus to develop implants for national needs”.

These needs can only be met if we start from the basics and equip our youngsters with this knowledge. To fulfill these national needs a Department of Biomedical Material Sciences has established at CIIT, as part of an Interdisciplinary Research Centre where classes at undergraduate and graduate level are scheduled to start early next year, thus providing students an opportunity to work in this new and exciting field in Pakistan. We urge our youngsters to become part of our vision, which is to have the ability to translate fundamental research to clinical care for the benefit of the Nation; our prospective students will be part of this initiative and will master the art of servicing the Nation, through education and research.

Once we have established the know how, the Department of Biomedical Material Sciences (IRC) will be well placed to produce graduates to respond to the national needs for an optimised biomaterials base in the delivery of healthcare by producing biomedical implants (spare – parts) for the human body.