One of the most common and serious complications associated with the implantation of a biomaterial into a biological system, such as the human body, is bacterial infection. This issue is especially overlooked in the fields of tissue engineering and biomaterials. These infections usually involve bacterial colonisation and biofilm formation on the implant itself, though infections may also develop in the surrounding tissues. This conference aims to bring together microbiologists, biomaterial scientists, trauma surgeons, tissue engineers and cell biologists to focus on the latest research in bacterial pathogenesis, biomaterial strategies to reduce these infections and the host response to implant related infections. A special focus will be on dental, orthopedic and trauma related infections. The outcome should be an increased understanding of the topic and a fostering of the interaction between scientists and clinicians.

This international forum continues the eCM congress series held in Davos. The limited number of participants (150) ensures clinicians, biologists, engineers and material scientists will have ample opportunities for knowledge sharing in basic, translational and clinical research in addition to developments in the field of cartilage and disc, repair and regeneration. As the conference does not have parallel sessions it permits in-depth multidisciplinary discussions about how to advance this research area.