Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence, Phase II

Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) is the leading academic and research institution in the field of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, rehabilitation, and nursing sciences in Latvia. RSU is ranked by QS among top 1000 universities in the world, with the highest rating in international student ratio and academic reputation. The University has close affiliation with leading hospitals in Latvia and experience in EU FP7, Horizon 2020, COST, ERA-NET, Interreg and national research projects. RSU uses a modern quality improvement approach to ensure high study and research quality. In 2017, the quality management system of the University was recertified in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 and received ISO 50001 certificate to comply with the energy management system international standard. Currently, RSU Faculty of Pharmacy is running a project to set up a new Finished Dosage Form R&D Laboratory (FDF Lab) to promote research in pharmaceutical sciences. It is planned that the Lab will be set up in 2022 and it will gradually expand its research area from oral solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules, granules) to biomaterials to explore kinetics (drug releasing profile) and stability of drug delivery systems. The FDF Lab will use its analytical capacity and infrastructure for dissolution testing, spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and microscopy among other techniques. The Lab will be also involved in material characterization, processing, and quality control of the finished products.

Project partner RSU Institute of Stomatology is modern dental clinic where all fields of dentistry are represented. RSU Institute of Stomatology besides clinical work also provides clinical classes for RSU dentistry students as well as medical and radiological records as a material for researches.

Demand for implants and preprosthetic surgery is driven by the increased life expectancy of society and higher demand for quality of life and aesthetics. Modern medical materials and technologies allow the implantation of dental prosthetics and implants having much higher functional and aesthetic qualities and prevents various maxillofacial pathologies or consequences in the event of severe diseases or trauma. BBCE will provide a full cycle of biomaterial development, from a laboratory concept to clinical application, focusing on new materials for bone repair, facial reconstruction, oral and maxillofacial surgery and other areas. This way the accessibility for patients of modern medical services will improve. RSU Institute of Stomatology is a host for clinical approbation of the developed biomaterials implemented in the areas of oral and maxillofacial surgery, implantology and periodontology.

Within the framework of BBCE project medical and technical specialists will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge, the study environment will be upgraded and training of young specialists will be improved, including improved therapy process planning and modeling skills by using 3D technologies.