Another milestone in medical research and education

A significant milestone for medical research and education in Aachen was celebrated today at RWTH Aachen Campus Melaten with the laying of the foundation stone for the Innovation Center for Digital Medicine and a new educational academy. Frauenrath Unternehmensgruppe from Heinsberg is investing in the second construction phase of the bio-medical engineering cluster. The building complex with around 8,600 m² of rental space is being constructed according to the design of the renowned Düsseldorf architectural firm slapa oberholz pszczulny I sop architekten. For Jörg Frauenrath, the managing director of Frauenrath Unternehmensgruppe, investing in RWTH Aachen Campus is a matter close to his heart: “The second construction phase of the biomedical engineering cluster is not only a challenging task for us in terms of urban planning and architecture. The further development of the cluster is particularly close to our hearts, as this promising investment at an outstanding science location also allows us to make a sustainable commitment to the region.” For Dr. Klaus Feuerborn, Managing Director of RWTH Aachen Campus GmbH, the fact that the Frauenrath Unternehmensgruppe is also investing in the second construction phase of the Biomedical Engineering cluster is a success for RWTH: “We are particularly pleased that our Aachen Campus concept has convinced the real estate industry to invest in this unique research infrastructure.”

The new building ensemble is being constructed next to the CT² Center for Teaching and Training, which was also realized by Frauenrath and sop architekten and which, as a so-called “campus gateway”, forms the urban planning prelude to the biomedical engineering cluster. Wolfgang Marcour, managing partner of sop architekten, explains: “With the second construction phase, we are continuing the urban planning concept and developing the cluster into an innovative research quarter in terms of design as well. The CT² kick-off building, which is also considered the gateway to the campus, now receives the appropriate architectural complement with the new building ensemble, which offers the future users the greatest possible flexibility.”

At the Educational Academy of Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, which also includes a research center for nursing, 660 pupils and students are trained by around 60 teaching staff to become nurses and midwives, among other things. In conjunction with CT² and its teaching concept for medical students, which is unique in Europe, the new educational academy with the integrated research center makes a significant contribution to teaching, training and the further development of highly qualified specialists, in particular also to medical care at the Aachen site. Professor Thomas Ittel, Chairman of the Board and Medical Director of Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, says of the training of medical specialists at the Aachen site: “With the expansion of the Biomedical Engineering Cluster, niklinik RWTH Aachen will continue to expand its position as one of the leading research and training institutions for highly qualified physicians and medical specialists and nurses. We are thus also making an enormously important contribution to patient care in the Aachen region.”

In an Innovation Center for Digital Medicine, 220 scientists are researching the digitization of medicine. With a unique network of experts from the fields of medicine, engineering, medical informatics, artificial intelligence and virtual reality, the innovation center bundles different competencies to develop innovative, holistic and individualized patient care in Germany and Europe. A particular focus is the development of a digital platform for a virtual hospital, which will enable the exchange of knowledge and expertise on medical specialties between physicians and hospitals.

Dr. Klaus Feuerborn emphasizes the relevance of the building complex for Campus Melaten: “The project is an important building block for the future of RWTH Aachen Campus. It is another example of how research from different disciplines can work together in one place.” In the immediate vicinity of the University Hospital and the Helmholtz Institute, the Biomedical Engineering Cluster with the Center for Biohybrid Systems (CBMS), the Center for Bio-Medical Engineering (ZBMS) and the CT² Center for Teaching and Training, where specialist personnel are trained and further educated, forms a significant research quarter on biotechnological and medical engineering topics. In the CBMS, technical and biological components are brought together, produced and tested on 5,600 m² of leased space. The ZBMT offers 4,100 m² of office and laboratory space for start-ups, founders and scientific institutions.

Click here for the official press release! (german)