Grand opening of BBV´s GLP-lab at Biotech Center
On 31st March 2008, the innovative research project “Biosynthetic Blood Vessels - From Laboratory to Patient Care" opened the doors to its new GLP facilities at the Biotech Center located at Medicinareberget. The Dean of Sahlgrenska Academy, Olle Larkö and Krister Holmberg, Head of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Chalmers officiated by cutting the symbolic ribbon.
“Our project is an excellent example of cooperation between Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg. There are fantastic opportunities available to us within the region, let us take full advantage of our unique position, but however, let us always bear in mind that we owe a debt of gratitude to a number of truly committed individuals who have worked to ensure it should be a good climate for collaboration," said Paul Gatenholm, BBV Project Manager. Last year, the project BBV received its funding of 9.6 MSEK from Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova. Already at this stage there were plans to house the project in GLP-adapted premises, which has now been accomplished.
The overall goal of BBV is to develop a new generation of biocompatible replacement vessels, of which there is a great need when treating patients with cardiovascular disorders. In this project bacteria are “trained" to create small cellulose tubes of a precise form and size needed.
The basic concept for the project was conceived when Paul Gatenholm, Professor of Biopolymer Technology at Chalmers University of Technology and Bo Risberg, Professor of Surgery at the University of Gothenburg, met at a seminar in 2002. It soon became clear that this project should focus on quickly transferring laboratory results to patient care at an early stage.
Currently, the project is being conducted under the auspices of seven different interdisciplinary research groups with a wide variety of skills and expertise. This is a forum in which biomaterial researchers, physicists, chemical engineers, cellular biologists, molecular biologists and cardiovascular surgeons meet. In addition to Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg, the project also involves researchers from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Uppsala University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SWEREA and several international organisations.
