Successful 3rd Focus Day at Research Center MAIN on the topic of Nanomedicine

Circa 60 experts from medicine, natural sciences, and engineering discussed the opportunities and needs of an emerging interdisciplinary research field between materials science and life science and explored the potential for the region of Chemnitz

The 3rd Focus Day of the Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology was dedicated to the medical application of nanotechnology, coined “Nanomedicine” for short. Around 60 participants from Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Municipal Hospital (Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH), non-university research institutions, local companies and other interested parties approached the interdisciplinary field from different perspectives on February 13, 2025. In his capacity as Scientific Chair of the event, Prof. Dr. Dietrich R. T. Zahn, Deputy Director of Research Center MAIN and holder of the professorship Semiconductor Physics at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Chemnitz University of Technology, assembled a spectacular program of plenary and short lectures, scientific posters, and interactive contributions from both the viewpoints of science, engineering, and clinical practice.

The „headliner” of the event was Prof. Rares Ionut Stiufiuc, Ph. D., Professor and Research Coordinator at the Department of Nanobiophysics at the Medical-Pharmaceutical University „Iuliu Hațieganu” in Cluj-Napoca (Romania). In his plenary lecture, he provided insights into current developments of spectroscopic analysis methods for biological and body fluids. This methodological toolbox is known under the technical term „liquid biopsy”. The set of methods used in this toolbox represent non-invasive and therefore gentler alternatives to conventional biopsy procedures which always require the at least partial surgical removal of tissue.

The lecture session showcasing the viewppoints of Chemnitz Municipal Hospital (Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH), the third-largest municipally run hospital in Germany and Medical Maximum Provider in the region of Southwest Saxony, was opened by Dr. Paul Warncke, pharmacist and scientific-technical employee at both the Department of Internal Medicine III with focus on Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) in Leipzig. His presentation ranged from the physicochemical and biological characterization of nanomaterials to the diagnosis and therapy of diseases. Prof. Dr. Vinodh Kakkassery and Prof. Dr. Matthias Kirsch, chief physicians at Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH, then examined the clinical requirements for research questions in nanomedicine from the perspectives of Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery, respectively. Finally, the project „Cluster Gesundheit Chemnitz“ (Health Cluster Chemnitz, CGC) – a planned research and transformation cluster for the region of Southwest Saxony was presented by Aline Lohse, program manager at the Center for Knowledge and Technology Transfer (ZWT) at Chemnitz University of Technology.

Finally, Prof. Dr. Dietrich R. T. Zahn shared his research experience from over three decades in the field of nanospectroscopic analysis methods such as Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and surface- or tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS/TERS), which have a very high potential not only in the analysis of semiconductor surfaces but also in medical diagnostics of biological “soft matter”.

The participating experts used the opportunity in the breaks between the respective specialist lectures to network with each other and sought professional exchange at scientific posters and interactive booths in the MAIN Foyer. To name a few, Amir Jafari Moghaddem, Yeji Lee and Dr. Vineeth Bandari, representatives of the Professorship Material Systems in Nanoelectronics at Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (Head: Prof. Dr. Oliver G. Schmidt) informed on „Microactuatoric Systems in Action“ using a video installation.

The participants of the 3rd MAIN Focus Day particularly appreciated the exchange on an interdisciplinary level. Prof. Rares Stiufiuc, Ph. D., Professor and Research Coordinator at the Department of Nanobiophysics at the Medical-Pharmaceutical University “Iuliu Hațieganu” in Cluj-Napoca (Romania), explained: “Participation in the MAIN Focus Day ‘Nanomedicine’ was a valuable opportunity to exchange insights into the spectroscopic analysis of biological and endogenous fluids and their transformative potential in medicine. The presentation of my work before such a knowledgeable audience of experts and researchers sparked valuable discussions about advances in non-invasive diagnostics and the future of nanotechnology in healthcare.”

Also Dr. Paul Warncke, pharmacist and scientific-technical employee at both the Department of Internal Medicine III with focus on Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) in Leipzig, was pleased with the way the event took ist path: “The MAIN Focus Day 'Nanomedicine' enabled a rarely experienced, successful interdisciplinary exchange between clinic and science, in which various interesting perspectives, needs and possibilities came to light and could be discussed. Potential starting points for joint research work in the context of the development of the „Cluster Gesundheit Chemnitz“ (Health Cluster Chemnitz, CGC) that could make a positive contribution to the further development of Chemnitz as a scientific location were identified.“

“The exchange between clinics and researchers is essential to promote communication and learn from each other. With MAIN, in Chemnitz, we have an institution with a worldwide reputation - nothing could be more obvious than to get the local developments into clinical applications," the Chief Physician for Ophthalmology at Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH, Prof. Dr. Vinodh Kakkassery added.

“Events that cross borders – interdisciplinarily, internationally, open to everyone from students to management – bring fresh ideas and new perspectives. They are a real add-on and should be an integral part of everyday research,” concluded Aline Lohse, program manager at the Center for Knowledge and Technology Transfer (ZWT) at Chemnitz University of Technology, summing up the 3rd MAIN Focus Day.

Background: Cluster Gesundheit Chemnitz (CGC)

The implementation of a Cluster Gesundheit Chemnitz (CGC, „Chemnitz Health Cluster“) is an initiative of Chemnitz University of Technology together with Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH. A joint center for transformation is intended to promote the academization of Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH and strengthen cooperation in research and development between the two institutions. Relevant research fields include artificial intelligence & mixed reality systems, robotics & sensor technology, prevention and early detection, e-health and wound healing.

(Author: Dr. Thomas Blaudeck, Translation: Arthur Dumler)

Anne Eichhorn
28.02.2025

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