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Hybird
Bioprints for clinical 3D printing of skin and cartilage tissue.
HYBiRD

HYBiRD is developing special “bio-inks” that can be used to print skin and cartilage tissue. The goal: to create new materials that can be processed in a 3D printer and are safe and well-tolerated by the body—as a foundation for future therapies and with fewer animal tests.

 

 

Image: Bioprinted tissue model · Image credit: S. Liu et al., TU Dresden

About the Project
Illustrative image (AI-generated) · Image credit: Fraunhofer IZI / MatConnec
Biohybrid materials for 4D-printed drug formulations with targeted drug release.
4D-PRODRUG

4D-PRODRUG develops “smart” bio-based materials made from body-like proteins (ELPs) that respond to stimuli such as temperature or pH. This enables the use of 4D printing to produce drug formulations that release active ingredients in a controlled manner—gently, sustainably, tailored to the patient, and documented based on data.

 

Illustrative image (AI-generated) · Image: Fraunhofer IZI · Image source: Canva

About the Project
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Light-activated polysaccharide coatings that protect microfluidic channels from fouling.
LASH

LASH is developing biohybrid, sugar-based coatings that prevent valuable peptides and proteins from adhering to the walls of microfluidic systems. The goal: more sensitive analyses using minimal sample material—as the foundation for more robust, personalized cancer diagnostics.

 

Illustration (AI-generated, DALL·E 3) · Image: Surflay Nanotec GmbH

About the Project
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Biohybrid heart muscle tissue from a 3D printer — monitored via a digital twin.
SynHeart

SynHeart develops cultured heart muscle tissue using synthetic, collagen-like materials instead of animal collagen. The goal: more stable, reproducible, and clinically applicable heart tissue—as a foundation for personalized therapies, reliable drug testing, and animal-free alternatives.

 

Image: Hydrogel based on the material Vecollan. Image credit: Evonik Operations GmbH

About the Project
Jellyfish Collagen for Cartilage Regeneration
Piezoelectric materials made from jellyfish collagen and tetrapodal zinc oxide for the regeneration of articular cartilage.
QPiezoR

QPiezoR is developing an active biomaterial designed to support the healing of damaged joint cartilage. Sustainably sourced jellyfish collagen is combined with a piezoelectric material—that is, a substance that generates a tiny electrical voltage when pressure is applied. Within the joint, every movement thus generates small signals designed to stimulate cells to form new cartilage tissue—similar to what happens in a natural joint.

Illustration · Image: CAU Kiel, Chair of Functional Nanomaterials (generated using AI)

About the Project
Detection of Hazardous Substances Using a Handheld Device
Biohybrid sensor materials for the mobile detection of chemical warfare agents and hazardous substances.
ProtecKD

ProtecKD is researching a novel sensor material for a portable handheld device that detects and distinguishes chemical warfare agents and hazardous substances directly from the air. Custom-designed biohybrid peptides containing dyes react specifically to dangerous gases—providing emergency responders with a clear, rapid, mobile, and reliable warning on-site.

Representative image: ProtecKD · Photo montage: Fraunhofer IZI · Image source: Canva

About the Project
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Digital Companion Project
MaterialVital Digital

Digitized Materials Research

MaterialVital-Digital (MVD) supports all collaborative projects in the digitization of their research data—using common standards, digital lab notebooks, and open platforms.

 

Illustrative image · Image source: KanawatTH via Canva

About the accompanying project
  • Hybird
  • Illustrative image (AI-generated) · Image credit: Fraunhofer IZI / MatConnec
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  • Jellyfish Collagen for Cartilage Regeneration
  • Detection of Hazardous Substances Using a Handheld Device
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Kickoff: The first collaborative projects are getting underway

July / August 2026

In the summer of 2026, the first collaborative projects in the “Living and Biohybrid Materials” module at the BMFTR MaterialVital Research Hub either got underway or received funding approval to begin shortly. MatConnect will support these consortia as a complementary research project, effective immediately.

About the Projects
Paper Airplane

Save the dates: Kickoff Meeting and BioTrans Closing Ceremony

March 2027

Those interested should mark two dates on their calendars for March 2027: the kickoff meeting of the MatConnect network on March 18–19, 2027, and the closing meeting of the BioTrans companion project on March 16–17, 2027, in Berlin.