The 5th BioMaH Biennial International Conference Successfully Held in Rome
Published 20 October, 2026
The 5th BioMaH Biennial International Conference, dedicated to Biomaterials and Novel Technologies for Healthcare, took place on 13–16 October 2026 at the headquarters of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) in Rome, Italy. Chaired by Prof. Julietta V. Rau (Institute of the Structure of Matter, ISM-CNR, Rome, Associate Editor of BAM) and co-chaired by Conference Presidents Prof. Iulian V. Antoniac (National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Romania, Editorial Board Member of BAM) and Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini (Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, Associate Editor of BAM), the conference brought together researchers, clinicians, engineers and industry representatives from more than 20 countries for four days of scientific exchange. Bioactive Materials was proud to support this edition of the conference.
Scientific Highlights
The scientific programme opened with five plenary lectures that set the tone for the meeting:
- Prof. Iulian V. Antoniac (Romania): Biomaterials and new technologies for healthcare — innovations impacting research and development
- Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini (Germany): Bioactive glasses and ionic medicine — progress and challenges
- Dr. Christophe Drouet (France): When bioinspiration feeds innovation — smart ceramic systems in (nano)medicine
- Dr. Deepak Vashishth (USA): Vita Nuova — a new life for old bones, revitalizing, restoring, and rebuilding the matrix
- Prof. Yufeng Zheng (Peking University, China): Biodegradable metals — current research status and future research directions
Across 18 thematic sessions, the conference covered the full spectrum of the field, including advanced materials in orthopaedics, biodegradable alloys for biomedical implants, implant–tissue interfaces and surface engineering, intervertebral disc regeneration, materials for dentistry and facial prosthetics, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, sustainable and green technologies, nanomaterials and biosensors for clinical applications, additive manufacturing and biofabrication, materials in cardiovascular surgery, and neurosurgery.
A special joint session with the European Orthopaedic Research Society (EORS), "Innovating Biomaterials: From Clinical Needs to Advanced Biological Testing", bridged the gap between fundamental research and clinical practice, with leading orthopaedic surgeons discussing unmet clinical needs from joint replacement coatings to implant-associated infections. A distinctive "Science Meets Art" session closed the scientific programme, exploring the dialogue between scientific research and artistic communication.
Awards for Young Researchers
The conference placed a strong emphasis on nurturing early-career scientists, with dedicated Young Oral and Young Poster Awards. On the final day, the organizers announced the Best Oral Prize and Best Poster Prize winners and presented the awards during the closing remarks.
Looking Ahead
Building on the success of the 2026 edition, the BioMaH biennial series continues to strengthen its role as a key international forum for the biomaterials community, fostering collaboration between materials science, biology, engineering and medicine. We look forward to the next edition of BioMaH.
Conference website: https://biomah2026.it
Contacts: biomah.ism@ism.cnr.it
