Hohenstein Institutes - Institute for Hygiene and Biotechnology

Companies and businesses in numerous areas (esp. the textile chain) benefit from the Life science skills of the medical experts in research, development, testing, consulting and certification. The team combines commercial experience with deep technical understanding. The Institute for Hygiene and Biotechnology-IHB is equipped with modern technologies: microbiology and virology laboratories (risk category 2), cleanroom device, cell-and molecular biology laboratories, histology facilities incl. fluorescence and electron microscopy, spectroscopy, radioactive laboratory, olfactometry, etc.

QM and accreditation of analytics

A quality management system has been implemented. We are accredited by DGA and ZLG, including a variety of biocompatibility testing according to DIN EN ISO 10993 using cell lines and 3D skin equivalents.

Biological analysis

Cell sorting and characterisation, tissue engineering using human stem cells, textile/skin interactions, skin physiology, dust mites and insect biology, fungi and phage biology, various molecular biology analysis, 3-D wound model

Good laboratory practice (GLP) test facility

Hygiene management, Food and water analysis, textile hygiene and reprocessing, barrier textiles, disinfecting washing processes, antimicrobial activities

Surface analytics

Characterisation of chemical, physical and biological properties of surfaces

Field tests

According to the issue

Service fields

The independent testing institute optimizes products for the market and promotes their success with marketing instruments. Our microbiologists advise customers in hygiene management and investigate textiles and products, which are applied in hygienic relevant areas. The biological testing includes safety and performance tests as well as risk analysis: antimicrobial activities, antiviral and fungicidal activities, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, LAL, Ames test, mechanical irritation, sensitization (in vitro), HET-CAM incl. angiogenesis, etc. 

Research fields 

The IHB develops and optimizes innovative solutions and products for the health care system, for example the treatment of wounds and allergies, wellness and care as well as prevention of diseases. In the future, these issues demand new (textile) solutions. Therefore our research focuses on medical textiles, materials and technologies which offer new functionalities in therapy, prevention and diagnosis: Drug delivery systems, wound dressings, TTS, implants, biofunctional textiles, thermal management, textile/skin interactions, smart textiles Our customers are companies in commerce of any size as well as public funders. We develop and open up new technologies: fast, reliable and confidential. Our know how is transferred into business and optimised products by services, contract research and consultancy.

• direct cooperation
• contract research cooperations in funded research projects