Panel discussions are a format that foster open debate on a topic. The invited guests include renowned experts on the area of focus and the chair allows time for open discussion with the audience.

• Entrepreneurship and Biomaterials/Medical Devices
• Clinical Experience with Orthopaedic and Dental Biomaterials
• The Role Players in the Drama of Anti-Biomaterial Immunity: the Macrophage, the Dentritic Cell, the B Cell, and the T Cell

Entrepreneurship and Biomaterials/Medical Devices
(Biomaterial Availability and Policy SIG)
Entrepreneurial small business start-ups are being increasingly recognized and supported by federal, state, and local governments, and by universities as a mechanism for successful technology commercialization. “Biotech” start-ups based on biomaterials technology utilized for medical device applications have a unique set of challenges and rewards. Our society has previously examined the business models used by large corporations; this forum will address many of the issues faced by entrepreneurial individuals such as faculty members or graduate students as they attempt to bring their biomaterials technology to the market through a start-up business.

Clinical Experience with Orthopaedic and Dental Biomaterials
(Dental/Craniofacial Biomaterials SIG, Implant Pathology SIG, Orthopaedic Biomaterials SIG)
Materials science and engineering is about the processingstructure-property relationship of various materials. The above relationship of biomaterials is ultimately tested in clinics. The development of biomaterials should have the goal of successful clinical applications. This panel discussion will invite leading clinicians who have much experience with biomaterials in areas such as orthopedics, dentistry, and tissue engineering. The objectives of this panel discussion are (1) present the clinical applications of currently available biomaterials; and (2) discuss the improvement and directions of new biomaterials in different clinical areas.

The Role Players in the Drama of Anti-Biomaterial Immunity: The Macrophage, the Dentritic Cell, the B Cell, and the T Cell
(Implant Pathology SIG)
Each panelist will review the role of one of the players as an immunological cell in general and as an antagonist of implants. Then the panelists will convene as a panel to discuss how the roles become parts in a drama featuring player interaction. Finally, the floor will be opened for questions from the audience. The purpose of the presentation is to make all SFB researchers aware of the scope of immune cell activity as it applies to implants and to help those specializing in one small area of host response to relate their work to the larger picture of host recognition of non-self.