A bio- and nanopolymers research group, one of Finland's centres of scientific excellence, is engaged in challenging work that is arousing great expectations. Several uses will be found in medical and dental science for the applications and breakthroughs resulting from the research.

The know-how of four research groups in the bio- and nanopolymers field is combined in one centre of excellence chosen by the Academy of Finland. Taking part are some 60 research workers from the Laboratory of Polymer Technology and the Polymer Physics Group at Helsinki University of Technology, the Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry at Helsinki University and Biomaterials Research at Turku University.

Cooperation as a creative force

The combination and interaction of the four areas of know-how are a force supporting the centre of excellence, even though the area under research is very competitive scientifically, according to Professor Jukka Seppälä, who heads the centre.

"Both polymers and nanostructures of polymers have been studied for a long time. What is unique in our centre is the combination of information in four different areas of know-how. The approach is challenging and modern, and this is what is needed to achieve results," Seppälä emphasizes.

"The centre of excellence is more than the sum of its parts. Together we will be able to make breakthroughs that would not be possible alone."

Sights are set high

The unit is examining the synthesis of controlled polymers by means of new polymer catalysis technology. The aim is to create controlled polymer structures that will at their best be able to react intelligently to changes in the environment.

The work is by nature basic research, but it is aimed at results that can be applied practically. Applications ranging from electronics and information technology to bio-medicine are already under development and on the market. On the tissue technology side there is talk of repairing tissues, growing new tissues and placing active substances precisely in the human system. "There is still a lot of work in these areas to reach the application stage," Seppälä says.

Major breakthroughs can be expected, such as new forms of treatment for exploiting the body's own healing mechanism and repairing tissue deficiencies. "The aim is to learn to use the patient's cells to grow new tissue where, for example, it's missing because of an accident or illness," Seppälä says.

"The work is challenging and arousing great expectations. We are learning little by little to make what Nature has been able to create."

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The bio and nanopolymers research group, which started its work in 2002, is one of the national centres of excellence appointed by the Academy of Finland. Its work will continue until 2007.