NIFE - this is the acronym for the Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development. 

At NIFE, biological, biohybrid and biofunctionalized implants are developed to replace or restore failed organ functions. The aim is to achieve optimal biological function with the greatest possible lifelong durability. This takes into account the growing importance of suitable implants that are tailored to the needs of the patient, which results not least from the demographic development of the population, as the percentage of elderly people in society is increasing.

At the same time, completely new approaches are to be researched at NIFE. Postoperative and cost-intensive complications of implants, for example due to infections or mechanical or electrical failure, are to be reduced, as these often require very expensive treatments as a consequence. Despite different functionalities in the various organ areas and the associated demands on the specificity of the implants, there is a large area of organ-independent, concurrent issues that benefit from common approaches to solutions. Thus, the close collaboration of the natural science, engineering and medical research groups will be elevated to a higher level in terms of efficiency, quality and synergy generation.

In parallel to research and development, the preclinical and clinical expertise available at the site is used to translate biomedical engineering findings from the laboratories into marketable products more quickly. The topics range from the development of biomaterials for implants and infection biology to imaging and laser medicine as well as regenerative therapies.

NIFE is a joint scientific institution of the Hannover Medical School (MHH), the Foundation of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) and the Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) in cooperation with the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH). This institution was founded according to §36a of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG) with the aim of bundling transdisciplinary research and development with a focus on implant research in Lower Saxony.

With NIFE, a transdisciplinary center in the field of implant research has been created, which conducts research across several organ systems along the entire innovation chain. This can be expected to provide considerable impetus for the transfer of scientific results to industry. With this center, Hannover as a biomedical technology location underscores its outstanding position and becomes all the more attractive for the settlement of national and international life science companies.