Developers, users and IT experts discussed current trends in point-of-care diagnostics, new materials and the use of artificial intelligence in medicine at an interdisciplinary online event. In addition to exciting presentations, the event offered interactive matching rounds to get to know each other and exchange ideas. It was organized by the MicroTEC Südwest e. V., BioLAGO e. V., BioRegio STERN Management GmbH and cyberLAGO e. V. in cooperation with ClusterAgentur Baden-Württemberg.

On July 1st, 21, the three-hour cross-clustering event took place. Around 35 participants took the opportunity to exchange ideas with other providers and users from the fields of POC diagnostics, new materials and artificial intelligence for the medicine of tomorrow in three matchmaking rounds. Between the "matching rounds" there were three keynote speeches on the above-mentioned thematic priorities as well as a presentation of the funding opportunities in the Horizon Europe program.

Dr.-Ing. René von Metzen, Head of Division Biomedicine and Materials Sciences and Group Leader Biomedical Micro- and Nanotechnology at the Natural and Medical Sciences Institute in Reutlingen, gave an insight into the world of microchips and implants. Dr.-Ing. von Metzen presented various criteria for the properties of the materials used in microimplants and explained how different materials affect the size, quality and lifespan of implants. Using the example of bone substitute material, he demonstrated the criteria with which materials can be differentiated and selected.

Priv-Doz. Dr. Susanne Proksch from Spindiag GmbH gave a lecture on the subject of POC diagnostics. Using the example of the POC test system Rhonda for the detection of bacterial and viral pathogens, she compared the advantages and disadvantages of the POC tests with those of the laboratory tests. The special thing about the Rhonda PCR test system of Spindiag: the results are laboratory quality. The aim of Spindiag GmbH is to help control pandemic pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens, e.g.  multi-resistant germs through intensive testing.

The last keynote speech on the topic of artificial intelligence was given by Dr. Martin Schüttler from CorTec GmbH. He presented the possibilities of electronic brain implants in connection with artificial intelligence. The possible uses range from the medical treatment of motor, cognitive and emotional abilities to the non-medical expansion and reinforcement of physical, sensory and cognitive functions. For example, patients with Parkinson's disease or epilepsy can benefit from deep brain electrode implants, which “overwrite” the brain to prevent tremors or seizures.

Finally, Hartmut Welck from the Baden-Württemberg Cluster Agency presented the funding opportunities in the Horizon Europe program.