Oliver Brüggemann is a Professor at the Institute of Polymer Chemistry (ICP) at the Johannes Kepler University of Linz in Austria and has been Head of Institute for over 14 years. He is a co-founder of NP Life Science Technologies KG and was Head of Laboratory at BASF’s Global Polymer Research Unit in Ludwigshafen in Germany. Prof. Brüggemann obtained his habilitation at the Technical University of Berlin in 2004 and his PhD at the University of Hannover in 1997. His main research topics are functional and biodegradable polymers, molecularly imprinted polymers, and industrially relevant polymers.

ICP brings vast experience and expertise to the INKplant project. Could you describe the main tasks that the ICP will be working on and how these will be contributing to the EU’s goal of developing personalized medicine for Europe’s aging population?

Our main task at ICP is the design and synthesis of novel inkjet printable monomers. We are using our know-how in degradable polymers to prepare monomers with a variety of degradation rates tailored to the range of medical applications within the INKplant project. Degradable polymers are an important component of resorbable medical implants as they greatly facilitate the ingrowth of body tissue. This allows the gradual replacement of the implant by body tissue which is the main advantage of resorbable implants.

It is hoped that 3D printing will revolutionize regenerative medicine in the future. How do you see the role of 3D printing in the medical industry and are there other medical technologies that you are excited about?

3D printing facilitates the manufacturing of complex structures required for medical implants. In combination with imaging techniques such as computer tomography individualized and patient-specific medical implants can be produced. The biggest advantage of 3D printable implants is that there are almost no limitations regarding form and shape of implants. This greatly improves fitting, comfort and thus patient compliance.

The ICP and IPPE are both based at Johannes Kepler University Linz. How closely are the two of you working together on the INKplant project and what impact do you think the project will have on the university? What benefits does this partnership bring?

Having both partners in one institution is a big advantage as it greatly simplifies organizational concerns such as meetings or transport of specimens. We closely work together with the IPPE whose main task is the mechanical characterization of the novel compounds. This allows us to develop novel materials for the entire process from raw material through to finished product in one institution.

What would you say have been ICP’s best achievements and what key milestones has the INKplant project reached so far?

One of our best achievements has been the synthesis of novel photo curable degradable monomers, which fulfill the unique and challenging requirements of INKplant. One key milestone reached by the INKplant project has been the successful development and testing of inkjet printable formulations. This is an important step towards individualized 3D printed implants.