SCM – Science Management

 

SCM , the most recent department of the AME was established in 2009 under the direction of Dr. Robert Farkas. In particular, it focuses on translational research and the research of technology transfer in medical technology.

 

So, it is about “…ensuring that the bounty of discoveries is effectively 'translated' into benefits in the everyday world of medicine“; this is how the NATURE journal announces its special issue about this topic in 2008. In a more general understanding this encompasses doubtlessly the important roles of economy, society, and politics for a successful transfer from “bench to bedside“.

The road from knowledge to application in patient care is ‑even now- extremely diverse and tedious. New scientific discoveries increase the complexity of the respective medical device often, as the names alone suggest it: for example “intelligent implants“, “4D-imaging“, “theranostics“, “individualized medical products“ or “biohybrid medical systems“. Sprawling development times for such innovations are emerging. This applies to prevent it, because every other month delay decreases the attractiveness of innovation for companies up to the safe application and even worse a demanding patient must wait for an improved treatment.

Thus, we want to gain insight, how the biomedical innovation process as a whole, not only in a single case, can be accelerated. A particularly promising approach consists in the so far not established use of IT-based, automated retrieval of all data such as publications, patents, project information, and many more to identify and link requirements, ideas, trends, concepts, and potential partners. That enables a much more effective, efficient and demand-oriented development of a safe medical device than previously possible.

• Big data and information retrieval, machine learning, in translation and technology transfer
• Analysis of the process, the determinants and the pace of biomedical research & development & innovation
• Research on collaboration and “demand-pull“ innovation
• Technology previews, innovation and technology analysis, ITA, and monitoring innovations for medical technology
• Development & testing of the user-oriented use of IT in biomedical research

As another practical focus, the working group operates the development of the cluster Biomedical Engineering on the RWTH Aachen University campus.