Prof Karin Hing

Karin Hing
BSc, PhD, CEng, MIMMM, FHEA, FRSA, FWES

Professor of Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration
Biomedical Engineering Programme Director

School of Engineering and Materials Science
Queen Mary University of London
www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/k.a.hing/
Centre for Bioengineering
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Research

Biomaterials, Bone graft substitutes, Biocompatibility, Orthobiologics, Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Engineering

Interests

Karin’s main research interests centre on development of next generation of orthobiologic bone graft substitution technologies and bioactive regenerative replacement materials through investigation of the chemical and structural control of the rate, volume and quality of bone regeneration in these biomaterials. These investigations have led to the development of 3D In vitro models for investigation of the physio-chemical phenomena behind chemical and structural enhancement of the rate and volume of bone tissue regeneration in the body.

Her research formed part of the underpinning science behind ApaTech™ Ltd., a QMUL spin-out company that was founded in 2001 to translate pioneering research into clinical practice through the launch of Apapore™ and Actifuse™ synthetic bone graft substitutes. In 2010 Apatech™ was acquired by Baxter for $330m in recognition of its position as a global leader in the provision of their bone graft substitute technologies. On-going collaboration with Baxter, has led to the launch of Inductigraft™ (2013) and AltaPore™ (2017), synthetic bone graft substitutes with enhanced osteo-productivity and, in clinical trials, similar efficacy to autograft. As such she has extensive experience in the commercial translation of research from bench to bedside. To date it is estimated that ApaTech™/Baxter bone graft substitute materials have been used in a range of clinical applications including trauma, maxillofacial reconstruction, joint revision and spine surgery, to treat over 500,000 patients world wide.

Karin is also actively involved in public engagement having appeared in a feature on her research in an episode of the BBC's prime time science programme, 'Bang Goes the Theory' (March 2013). She was awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering's Silver Medal in 2011 and has since been awarded the Kroll Medal by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, and the Biocompatibles Prize by the UK Society for Biomaterials, both in 2013. In 2019 the outstanding engineering achievements that underpinned the founding of ApaTech™ and development of Actifuse™ and Inductigraft™ were celebrated as one of the six Royal Mail stamps issued commemorating 50 years of British Engineering.