NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute

Pharma and biotechnology, biomedical technology, surface and interface technology.

The NMI - Natural and Medical Sciences Institute - is a foundation (non-profit organisation) established in 1985. The mission of the NMI is to transfer the results of basic research to the market. By the end of 2003 the NMI had 90 employees.

Hugo Haemmerle, Prof. Dr., Director
Alfons Stett, Dr., Deputy Director

Markwiesentr. 55
72770 Reutlingen
Germany
Phone: +49-7121-51530-0
Fax: +49-7121-51530-16

Currently four groups focus on the field of regenerative biology. The group of Dr. Reinout Stoop focuses on the development and evaluation of biomaterials for cartilage and bone tissue engineering.

The groups of Prof. Dr. Burkhard Schlosshauer and Dr. Hansjürgen Volkmer are focused on peripheral nerve regeneration. One group is developing nerve guides, which allow guided nerve regeneration in the first place, but are completely degraded. The second group uses recombinant technology to produce proteins which promote neurite outgrowth. These growth-promoting factors can be produced in considerable quantity in bioreactors.

Dr. Elke Günther’s group is focused on MEA (Multi-Electrode Array) chips. The MEA-brain sensor detects repair and regrowth of neurons to treat neuronal injury caused by trauma, ischemia or neurodegenerative diseases.

Several patents have been issued or are pending.