Life Sciences Innovation Centre Hosts International BioMetaSurf Workshop

UHI has hosted a three day 'BioMetaSurf' workshop in the Life Sciences Innovation Centre in March.

UHI researchers from the medical nanotechnology team were joined by researchers from the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, the University of St Andrews and several Inverness-based SMEs to explore the generation of novel manufacturing processes for naturally inspired (or biomimetic) antimicrobial products.

The new collaborative project aims to model and synthesise natural antimicrobial surfaces, such as butterfly wings, via high resolution injection moulding. They will then coat these surfaces with a highly active antimicrobial coating via physical vapour deposition (PVD) and test them for antimicrobial functionality and durability.

This workshop was the first in a series of three workshops which will be held during 2026, between UHI, The University of Esslingen and The University of St Andrews. The workshops are funded by the German Research Foundation, or Deutsche Forschungsgmeinschaft (DFG) and supported by UHI One Health.

Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gühring of Hochschule Esslingen – University of Applied Sciences commented on the visit:

"The UHI campus in Inverness is very modern, featuring high-quality, welcoming study facilities and an environment that encourages both collaboration and focus. I was particularly impressed by the laboratory infrastructure, specifically within the Life Sciences Innovation Centre, which highlights the university's commitment to high-end scientific research. [...] It is a fantastic place for both academic growth and professional collaboration".

Matthias Deckert also of Hochschule Esslingen – University of Applied Sciences added:

"I was particularly impressed by the strong connections to start-ups and surrounding companies. These collaborations are invaluable for applied research and provide valuable input for identifying new, relevant research topics".

Jacob Roberts of the UHI medical nanotechnology team noted:

“The workshop was informative and stimulating. It was wonderful to learn about the work of such a range of experts, and I’m excited to see this collaborative project grow.”