Argus News - International Conference on Tissue Engineering Kickstarts at NIT Rourkela

Rourkela, Nov 28: The International Conference on Advanced Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Medical Devices (ICABTEMD 2025) began at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela here on Friday, drawing global participation from researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and young scientists.

Organized by the Ministry of Education’s Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering under the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, the three-day hybrid event offers a multidisciplinary platform to discuss innovations in biomaterials, tissue engineering, and medical device technologies.

Global Participation and Themes

With around 125 registered delegates, the conference features plenary lectures, keynote addresses, technical sessions, exhibitions, and poster presentations. Discussions span advanced biomaterials, nanomaterials, regenerative strategies for orthopaedic, dental, ophthalmic, and cardiac applications, as well as AI/ML-driven biomaterial design. Distinguished speakers from the USA, UK, Japan, Romania, Singapore, Malaysia, and India are contributing to knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Inaugural Session Highlights

The inaugural session was graced by Chief Guest Prof. T. S. Sampath Kumar (IIT Madras), Guest of Honour Dr. Luminita Simion (Romania), and senior NIT Rourkela officials including Director Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Registrar Prof. Rohan Dhiman, and Prof. Devendra Verma. Conference Chairperson Prof. Krishna Pramanik emphasized the importance of smart biomaterials in addressing grafting challenges and advancing therapeutic innovations. Prof. Verma highlighted tissue engineering’s transformative role since its formal introduction in 1983 and announced a new project to develop a handheld bioprinter capable of printing living cells directly onto wounds.

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Research and Innovation Focus

Prof. Rao urged scientists to explore solutions for spinal disc regeneration, a challenge yet unresolved globally, stressing its potential to benefit millions with chronic spinal conditions. Prof. Sampath Kumar underscored the global demand for advanced biomaterials to improve medical devices, particularly in orthopaedics. Dr. Simion, joining virtually, noted that regenerative medicine and biomaterials are critical in addressing tissue and organ failure, paving the way for personalized therapies.

Collaboration and Future Directions

Convened by Prof. A. Thirugnanam and Prof. Amit Biswas, with Prof. Sudip Dasgupta and Prof. Sujit Ku. Bhutia as co-convenors, the conference also addresses regulatory, ethical, and intellectual property aspects of biomaterials and medical devices. Poster presentations in management and social sciences complement technical sessions, showcasing interdisciplinary innovation. The event will conclude with deliberations on advanced manufacturing techniques and a valedictory session honoring outstanding researchers.