Annual Conference and Expo on Biomaterials March 14-16, 2016 London, UK

A biomaterial is any matter, surface, or construct that interacts with biological systems. As a science, biomaterials are about fifty years old. The study of biomaterials is called biomaterials science. It has experienced steady and strong growth over its history, with many companies investing large amounts of money into the development of new products. Biomaterials science encompasses elements of medicine, biology, chemistry, tissue engineering and materials science. Global biomaterials market over the forecast period of 2012-2017. The global market for biomaterials is estimated at $44.0 billion in 2012 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 15% from 2012 to 2017 to reach $88.4 billion by 2017.

Medical implants are devices or tissues that are placed inside or on the surface of the body. Many implants are prosthetics, intended to replace missing body parts. Other implants deliver medication, monitor body functions, or provide support to organs and tissues. Some implants are made from skin, bone or other body tissues.  Others are made from metal, plastic, ceramic or other materials. A dental implant is a surgical component that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, denture, facial prosthesis or to act as an orthodontic anchor. The basis for modern dental implants is a biologic process called osseointegration where materials, such as titanium, form an intimate bond to bone. Restorative dentistry is the study, diagnosis and integrated management of diseases of the teeth and their supporting structures and the rehabilitation of the dentition to functional and aesthetic requirements of the individual. Restorative dentistry encompasses the dental specialties of endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics and its foundation is based upon how these interact in cases requiring multifaceted care. 

Biomaterial surfaces exhibit significant heterogeneity in physical structure. Molecules in the bulk of a material have a low relative energy state due to nearest neighbor interactions. Surface modification techniques have been extensively explored for the use of adsorbing biological molecules. The biomaterial surface can be modified in many ways like plasma modification and applying coatings to the substrate. These modifications can be used to affect surface energy, adhesion, susceptibility to corrosion, biocompatibility, chemical inertness, lubricity, sterility, aSeptembersis, thrombogenicity and degradation. Based on the differences of surfaces  and interfaces of biomaterials  and their interaction with the external environment, there are various forms of biomaterials like Biosensors, Bioconjugates, Bioinspired Materials and Biohybrid Materials. Tribology is the branch of science and engineering which deals with interaction of surfaces in relative motion. Biosurfaces and biointerfaces are the emerging trends in the biomechanics research of Biomaterials. They account for 10.2% of the market share.

Biomaterials are synthetic materials used to make devices to replace part of a living system or to function in intimate contact with living tissue. They are used in replacement of diseased and damaged parts and for improving organ function by correction of abnormalities. Based on biocompatibility and biodegradability, these Biomaterials are used in orthopedics for joint replacements, bone plates, artificial ligaments and tendons, for dental treatments as dental implants for tooth fixation, in cardiovascular treatments as blood vessel prostheses, stents, cochlear replacements, for ophthalmic applications in contact lenses, in reproductive therapy as breast implants, vascular grafts, in neural treatments as nerve conduits, for wound healing in the form of surgical sutures, clips, staples for wound closure and drug delivery mechanisms. Biomaterials also have a vital role in the cosmetic treatments that are widely being for plastic surgeries that help enhance the beauty of people.

The market for Biomaterial forms like Metal Biomaterials, Polymer Biomaterials and Ceramic Biomaterials, Orthopedic, Cardiology, Wound Care and other biomaterials. The global Biomaterials market for 2011 is estimated at US$38.6 billion and is projected to increase at a CAGR of 15% (2007-2017) to reach US$84.9 billion by 2017. From 2017, the expected annual growth rate is 11.6%, which would expand the market to 12.38 billion dollars by 2021. Meanwhile, the world scaffold component technology market was approximately 4.75 million dollars in 2013, and by increasing 14.4% annually, it is estimated to expand to 10.63 million dollars by 2020. The Korean scaffold element technology market was about 23 million dollars in 2013, and with a steady growth of approximately 14.4% every year, it is prospected to be about 53 million dollars by 2020. The Biomaterials industry is also flourishing at very faster pace, hence they are also working towards creating awareness about the on-going Biomaterials research through Biomaterials symposiums, tissue implants workshops, Biomaterials workshop, Biomaterials meetings, Biomaterials conferences, Biomechanics workshops and Biomaterials congresses.

Bionanomaterials are molecular materials composed partially or completely of biological molecules and resulting in molecular structures having a Nano-scale-dimension. Such Bionanomaterials may have potential applications as novel fibers, sensors, adhesives etc. Bionanomaterial based cancer treatment offers hope for treating certain cancers and provides many exciting possibilities to enable important new therapeutic outcomes. Nanobiomaterials accounts for 28.3% of the market share. The synergy of Nanotechnology and Biomaterials is paving way for advanced research in designing of implant devices for medical use.

Tissue engineering of musculoskeletal tissues, particularly bone and cartilage, is a rapidly advancing field. In bone, technology has centred on bone graft substitute materials and the development of biodegradable scaffolds. Recently, tissue engineering strategies have included cell and gene therapy. The availability of growth factors and the expanding knowledge base concerning the bone regeneration with modern techniques like recombinant signaling molecules, solid free form fabrication of scaffolds, synthetic cartilage, Electrochemical deposition, spinal fusion and ossification are new generated techniques for tissue-engineering applications. Biomedical Engineering research is the leading research which includes Nano applications to biomedical sciences and tissue engineering, Nano medicines, Cell interactions with nano particles, Revolutionary opportunities and future scope of nanotechnology, Bio-nanotechnology Biomedical Nanotechnology, Tissue Growing Nanostructures, Nano-Mechanisms for Molecular Systems, Nano-Bio-Computing, Biomedical Application of Nanoparticles and Functional Nanomaterials and Devices for Biomedical Engineering.

Biomaterials have emerged as essential tools in treating wide range of medical conditions like cardiovascular, ophthalmic, orthopedic and dental infirmities. They are also having ample scope for development in fields such as drug delivery, regenerative medicine and immune engineering. Biomaterials, either modified bio-polymers or artificial polymers, are used as replacements for various damaged ocular elements. Going beyond prosthetic replacements and devices, novel types of ophthalmic Biomaterials are presently being developed by manipulating both bulk structure and surface of materials to provide more complex systems that will be able to stimulate the target cells that can heal and regenerate damaged ocular tissue. The use of cardiovascular Biomaterials was predominant category of the Biomaterials market in 2014, with a worth of about $20.7 billion. In 2009, the orthopedic biomaterial market recorded revenues of $236.5 million or 37.5% of the total biomaterial products market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 17.2% from 2010 to 2020.

Regenerative medicine is a broad field that includes tissue engineering as its integral part. It also deals with self-healing/ wound healing, wherein the body uses its own systems, sometimes with help foreign biological material to recreate cells and rebuild tissues and organs to reinstate normal function. Biomaterial scaffolds capable of gene delivery have been shown to induce transgene expression and tissue growth. Recent studies prove that stem cells respond to a wide range of biochemical and biophysical features of their microenvironment. Engineered Biomaterials control differentiation and proliferation of human-embryonic-stem-cells by interfering in the cell-signaling pathways. Biomimetic nanofibers are playing a crucial role in culturing and differentiation of neural stem cells. Biomaterials with spatially graded properties mimicking native tissue interfaces help in improving the host-tissue integration. Immunomodulatory Biomaterials bring together molecular concepts from various fields to rationally design vaccine adjuvants having immunomodulatory properties. Biomaterials with direct clinical applications in the interconnected arenas of wound care and drug formulation, encapsulation, and transport will be a climacteric in drug-delivery technologies for wound healing.

Biomaterials play a vital role in modern therapeutic delivery. Novel biocompatible polymeric gene carriers have been examined for their potential in treating diverse genetic and acquired diseases. The researchers are working on the biomaterial approaches to significantly improve outcomes of gene therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. Biomaterial nano-carriers for delivery of multiple theranostic agents are also a main field for research. Biomaterials are potentially critical components for therapeutic delivery of stem cells and for studying in-vitro models that can be utilized to assess mechanisms of cell behavior. Novel biomaterials that can be used for a broad spectrum of biomedical applications are implantable devices, tissue engineering, imaging agents, regenerative medicine, biosensors and actuators. The nano biomaterial architecture is the basis for fabrication of novel integrated systems involving cells, growth factors, proteins, cytokines, drug molecules, and other biomolecules with the rationale of creating an universal, all-purpose nano-biomedical devices for personalized therapies.

Biomaterial scaffolds capable of gene delivery have been shown to induce transgene expression and tissue growth. Biomaterial scaffolds that deliver genes coding for regenerative factors may provide a stand for regenerating compound tissues such as blood vessels, skin and nerves. Biomaterials capable of limited gene delivery can synergistically target multiple cell processes and will have application to the regeneration of many tissues, with great potential for medical therapies. There have been several advances in drug delivery technology using biomaterials for cutaneous wound healing. The North America market totaled $38.3 billion in 2013. This market should increase to about $40.2 billion in 2014 and should reach about $51.8 billion by 2019, demonstrating a CAGR of 5.2% from 2014 to 2019. The Latin American market totaled $3.4 billion in 2013. This market should reach almost $6.8 billion by 2019, a CAGR of 12.6% from 2014 to 2019.

Methods to control stem cell differentiation at the cell-biomaterial interface are being investigated by scientists all over the world. Specific interactions between cell and biomaterials are required to control the cellular functions and for development of a cell. Programming of cells provides a viable and alternate route to control cell response in a physiological or pathological condition without eliciting an adverse response. Cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix contacts can be controlled by modifying the cells and stem cells to induce or inhibit specific responses. The global market for Biomaterial is estimated to reach $88.4 billion by 2017 from $44.0 billion in 2012 growing at a CAGR of 15%. The progress in biomaterials research is discussed globally conducting biomaterials worldwide events in different parts of the world like London, Europe, and USA.

Degradation of Biomaterials is a serious problem for any medical device whether it is precluding degradation of implantable devices or forecasting the amount of degradation of tissue engineering scaffolds or drug releasing elements. The development of biodegradable metals based on magnesium could be indicated as a major breakthrough in the field of orthopedic surgery. Degradable implants help eliminate the time and cost associated with a secondary surgery to eliminate hardware, and decreases the period that the implant is exposed to uncertainty, fibrous encapsulation, stress shielding and infection. There are approximately 300 universities, 400 companies and 50 societies working in the field of Bio-degradable materials.

To surpass the disadvantages of sutures, staples and clips in current surgical procedures for tissue reconstruction and wound cessation, biocompatible and biodegradable gums have recently been used in patients to seal and repair tissue wounds. The development of novel antimicrobial Biomaterials is currently increasing impetus. Diverse adhesive biomaterials are also emerging rapidly. These biomaterial based devices offer significant advantages compared to sutures, like their sealing or repairing ability, easy use modality and delivery in-situ of compounds for accelerating wound healing. The target audience for the conference will be Professors and Students from Academia involved in the research of functional biomaterials. The global Biomaterials market for 2011 is estimated at US$36.6 billion and is projected to increase at a CAGR of 14% (2007-2017) to reach US$82.8 billion by 2017.

Biodegradable metals will be extensively used in various clinical applications in near future. Biomaterials can be derived from either natural or manmade sources, and are finding trailblazing applications in treating diseases and medical disorders such as heart-related problems, dental problems, bone cancer, tissue damage, and orthopedic injuries. Hydrogels are effective wound healing agents. Acellular biomaterials can stimulate the local environment to repair tissues without the regulatory and clinical challenges of cell-based therapies.  In the near future, artificial cartilage might show its full potential for the treatment for cartilage injury. Soft implantable sensor materials are developed using liposomes/ polymersomes /whole cells incorporated in hydrogels.

3D printing is a process used to make a three-dimensional object. In this, successive layers of bio-material are laid down under computer control. According to the number of dimensions in nano-scale, the Biomaterials are of three types- 3D (nano-particle), 2D (i.e. nano-fiber), and 1D (nano-sheet). The combination of 3D printing with Biomaterials provides the opportunity to realize a truly sustainable and circular economy. There are approximately 200 universities, 300 companies and 80 societies working in the field of3D printing of Biomaterials.  Google has promised to spend $20 million in funding 3D-printed prosthetics and other aid technology. The 3D printing market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23% from 2013 to 2020, and reach $8.41 billion in 2020. The Biomaterials imaging is yet another frontier in the Biomaterial research.