From Ancient Remedies to Modern Contraptions: Tracing the Evolution of Biocompatible Materials

This conference proceeding focuses on the evolution of the concept of biocompatibility, exploring its journey from ancient times to the present day. Evidence points to the use of biomaterials as far back as 5,000 years ago, showcasing early attempts to address medical challenges. Notably gold, which is biologically inert, emerged as a key biomaterial, utilized since the first millennium BC for fixing skull bones and teeth. But it would not take much longer for humanity to start making use of what we now consider bioactive materials, such as calcium carbonate from seashells as well as dentin and enamel harvested from animal sources or even other humans. Surprisingly, the formal definition of biomaterials remained rather vague until the latter half of the 20th century, with the first, comprehensive and widely accepted definition emerging only in 1991. This definition, which comprised both inert and bioactive substances, also emphasized the importance of improving the patients’ quality of life, something that was generally neglected until at least the end 19th century. This retrospective analysis investigates the historical and biological foundations of biocompatibility, tracing its progression from ancient applications rooted in empirical knowledge to the advanced medical implants of the modern era. By understanding this evolution, we gain insights into the foundations and challenges that have shaped and still shape the field of biomaterials science: “what makes a material biocompatible”, “how well will it perform over time” and “how much can still be done to improve its biocompatibility” being just a few examples. But the most difficult challenge, from a human and scientific point of view would probably be to accept that “there is no such a thing as a biocompatible material”.