Research

Mission-driven research

Research conducted at Department of Health Science and Technology has a common basis: The human body. Our research spans “from molecule to society” covering aspects from the human cell and the molecules that the body is built from to the full human body. Our mission is to contribute to increased quality of life and benefit both the individual and society.

About our research

Increasing public health in our society

At the Department of Health Science and Technology researchers work within engineering, biomedicine, sports science, public health, neuroscience, psychology, and physiotherapy to develop sustainable technological solutions such as diagnostic methods, models for processing health data, medicine, welfare technology as well as sports, training, and rehabilitation equipment. The synergy between health, engineering, and human and social sciences provides us with a strong basis to work determinedly to prevent and treat diseases and ensure a general increase in the public health in our society.

Strong cooperation with Department of Clinical Medicine

Innovation and spin-out to the world

Examples of research at the Department of Health Science and Technology

The first exoskeleton in the world that can be controlled with the tongue

An interdisciplinary group of researchers has developed an intelligent exoskeleton that paralyzed people can control with their tongues using a palate keyboard. The research project, which has been named EXOTIC, is led by Associate Professor Lotte N. S. Andreasen Struijk.

The rehabilitation technology of the future: Computer control by the power of thought

For patients with a stroke due to a blood clot or bleeding in the brain rehabilitation of mobility can be a slow process. Therefore, research on how to develop a technology to let the human brain control a computer by the power of thought is performed. This will result in faster rehabilitation - for example of arm function - and thereby also a better quality of life and faster return to the labor market.

PHANTOM PAIN RELIEVED WITH ELECTRODES IMPLANTED IN BRAIN AND NERVE TISSUE

Phantom pain can occur if the nerves are damaged. Opioids for pain management only work for a short time and can lead to addiction and abuse. The researchers are therefore working on developing an alternative pain treatment using electrical stimulation through electrodes implanted in brain and nerve tissue.

Research areas and groups

The Department of Health Science and Technology has 18 research groups each headed by a research group leader. Spanning from molecule to society our research covers:

E-Health and Clinical Decision Support: Respiratory and critical care • cardio-technology • medical image analysis • artificial intelligence • clinical decision support • e-health • tele health • telerehabilitation
Neurorehabilitation, Neuroengineering and Robotics: Neural prostheses • neuro-technology • brain computer interface
Biomedicine: Blood-brain-barrier • stem cells • molecular medicine • personalized medicine • microbiology and immunology • degenerative diseases • pharmacology • genomic medicine
Sport Sciences and Public Health: Sports technology • sports and social issues • ergonomics • public health • health literacy
Pain Research: Pain neuroplasticity • chronic pain • animal to human models • musculoskeletal health