CONCLUSIONS

Taken all together the papers here presented, behind the specific topic, clearly show how the convergence of medicine and technology represent an highly developing pervasive field of research with relevant implications on our society at different levels. Relevant results can be obtained only by a unique combination of skills and in-depth knowledge in medicine/biology and engineering that enables researchers to identify emerging problems, to define research and development goals and to solve them in a unique way requiring equal expertise in engineering and biomedicine and a true integration of both. There is also a strong shift of focus to the cellular and molecular levels and their integration into the complex systems of higher level structural and functional organization. This emerging scientific paradigm will provide new knowledge as well as a new generation of diagnostics and therapeutics enabling the innovation needed to meet the growing demand for accessible and sustainable health care. Finally the exiting scientific goals combined with the practical applications oriented to fight diseases and to improve human condition make this field particularly attractive to young researchers to whom this initiative is mainly devoted.