A biomaterial is a material that is used and adapted for medical applications. While it is difficult to formulate a definition, the more widely accepted working definition is “ A Biomaterial is any material that complies whole or part of a living structure or biomedical device which performs, augments, or replaces a natural function.

A biomaterial can have a Bening function, like being used as a heart valve, or maybe bioactive; used for a more interactive purpose like hydroxy-apatite coated hip implants. Thy help in restoring function and healing for people after injury or disease.

They play an integral role in medicine today, But the first historical use of biomaterials dates to antiquity, when ancient Egyptians used sutures made from animal sinew. The moder age biomaterials combines medicines, biology, physics and chemistry and more recent influence from tissue engineering and material sciences. But this field has grown leaps and bounds in the past decade due to discoveries in tissue engineering, and material sciences.

They maybe natural or synthetic. Metals, ceramics, plastic glass and even living cells and tissues can be used in creating a biomaterial. They can be re-engineered into molded or machined parts, coating, fibres, films, foams, fabrics, etc. They can be biodegradable, and some are bio absorbable, meaning they are slowly eliminated from the body after fulfilling a function.

“A healthy body and a Sound Mind” is the foundation for a prosperous, healthy, happy society, resulting in a developed nation. We as doctors, scientist, researchers, engineers, social workers etc. need to join hands and work together for making and utilizing the biomaterial available to us and make its reach available to the each and every person. So that any person suffering from defects by birth, accidents, disease is not left behind to give to the society its full potential thus becoming an equal contributor in society. The best example in India can be found in “The Jaipur Foot”. Likewise we need biomaterials for our life and society for a “Holistic and Healthy” living.

The research on Biomaterials will always be a rich area of research and practice in the medical field. With the development of new technology, we will see mor advancement in this field. And many living beings will be able to live a proper life.