University of Silesia
in the service of medicine
University of Silesia in Katowice has for many years conducted a wide range of research work and provided services for industry in the areas of medicine, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, materials engineering, chemistry and medical physics.
The research undertaken is highly topical, provides a holistic approach to the problems identified and offers a comprehensive solution based on knowledge of various, intertwining scientific disciplines.
The idea behind the medical research activities of University of Silesia in Katowice is a systematic approach to current health problems and challenges, such as: the aging of society, civilisation diseases, traffic accidents or the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic. A holistic and multifaceted implementation of medical research and its possible implications is ensured by scientific work and interdisciplinary analysis of results, both in terms of scientific and biological disciplines as well as technical disciplines and their requirements and capabilities.
Particular emphasis is placed on continuous assessment of the economic and social impact of the research findings, including on the direct users and manufacturers of advanced materials and technologies. Therefore, the developed modern materials and technologies in this field are characterised by broad socio-cultural implications, which is confirmed by numerous awards and distinctions received by the University, including, among others, the national badge of honour „For Merits for Inventiveness” for the author of such solutions as: a device for extracorporeal oxygenation of blood, with a membrane made of an organic material with blowing, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties, a mouthpiece for diagnosing diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, or new compounds with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can be used, for example, in medical devices, sports equipment and objects of everyday use.
Interdisciplinary scientific teams with access to state-of-the-art, constantly expanding laboratory infrastructure specialise, among other things, in:
– design, prototyping and manufacture of medical devices for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of humans and animals, e.g.: special mouthpiece for upper and lower respiratory tract disease diagnosis, motor and respiratory rehabilitation games, sleep monitoring system, oscillating waistcoat facilitating expectoration of secretions retained in the respiratory tract;
– development of new functional engineering materials for special applications, including medical applications, design of bio materials, e.g.: modified alloys with shape memory, porous gradient materials, composite materials made by powder metallurgy for use in implantology, materials with anti-inflammatory properties;
– developing methods to modify the surface of products, e.g.: innovative surface layers, coatings for medical devices including implantable devices, hybrid coatings to improve biocompatibility and mechanical properties as well as corrosion resistance;
– creating and testing virtual environments for diagnosis and therapy, e.g. using VR technology for rehabilitation of the musculoskeletal system in the course of orthopaedic, neurological and rheumatological diseases;
– synthesis of anticancer drugs, e.g. new triapine derivatives, pharmaceutical composition of a carbothiohydrazide derivative;
– chemistry of drugs, including amorphous ones, thanks to which it is possible to improve their effectiveness without having to increase the dose taken by the patient. The works on drug amorphisation are conducted by the scientific team of University of Silesia, which with the support of the university special purpose vehicle SPIN-US Sp. z o.o. established the spin-off Amorphis Pharma Development Sp. z o.o., providing solutions to the identified area of pharmaceutical market needs, i.e. low solubility of many pharmaceutically active substances;
– thermal imaging in biomedical applications, e.g. in dental diagnostics for enhanced lesion assessment and planning of treatment of oral conditions and, in collaboration with medical facilities, to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing the COVID-19 disease;
– medical imaging, including computed microtomography, which makes it possible to perform non-destructive testing of virtually any object, and the data obtained can be used for, among other things: qualitative, structural, quantitative and numerical analyses, defect inspection and workmanship testing, 2D and 3D metrology, 3D computer visualisation and simulation.
University of Silesia in Katowice
ul. Bankowa 12, 40-007 Katowice
tel. +48 32/359 20 81, 359 22 71, 359 15 21
transfer@us.edu.pl
www.us.edu.pl
Co-financed by the programme „Social Responsibility of Science” of the Minister of Education and Science