GM-Lab (Healthcare Management Laboratory)

Introtext

The GMLab is a research incubator in the field of digitalization in medicine and care. In the lab, scientists research and teach innovative approaches using state-of-the-art equipment.

Advanced mobile digital technology for medicine is designed, built and tested. Applications in telemedicine, medical devices and molecular biology techniques are brought to life for students.

Quick Facts

Laborteam: Prof. Dr. Walter Swoboda
Daniel Eitel
Dr. Felix Holl
Prof. Dr. Peter Kuhn
Dr. Martin Schmieder
Daniel Hieber
Yantao Gao

Main areas of research: Health

Usecase in research

The “mHealth” (opens in a new window) research area has a wide range of equipment available to design, build and test innovative mobile digital technology for medicine. One example of this is the development of a mobile voice assistant based on the Arduino microcomputer.

NAP and SwaMMP

The laboratory is also equipped with a state-of-the-art machine learning server, utilized for the "Neural Network Assisted Pathology" (NAP) research project (opens in a new window), among others. This server facilitates the analysis and diagnosis of glioblastomas by researchers. The server's advanced features, including four graphics cards and a substantial number of cores, significantly reduce the training time for new models, thereby enabling rapid evaluation.

The laboratory environment, including a CO₂ hazardous material storage facility for the “SwaMM project” (opens in a new window), is also provided and maintained by the GMLab and is equipped with decent video microscopy workstations.

Ambient Assisted Living

or "AAL" for short, encompasses the use of methods and concepts designed to make everyday life easier for elderly and disabled people. The prospect of greater autonomy, increased social participation or simply increased safety in everyday life is at the heart of assistive technologies. The GMLab uses a selection of AAL devices that have been developed in close cooperation with the AGAPLESION Bethesda Klinik Ulm and the "Daheim Dank Digital" (opens in a new window) team.

The AAL devices available at the GMLab include digital medication dispensers, tremor spoons, electric walkers and intelligent emergency call watches with fall detection. The GMLab also conducts practical, hands-on tests to demonstrate the wide range of possible applications and, in particular, the specific benefits for an aging population.

Usecase in Teaching

The lab has a wide range of equipment and course materials to support the teaching (especially medicine) of the GM faculty's degree programs. From VR-supported anatomy simulations to a 3D printer and a molecular biology experimental unit, everything is represented.

Age suit & back pain simulator

A suitcase resembling a travel trolley contains many individual components designed to simulate old age. The age suit itself is a waistcoat equipped with weights, which can be supplemented with glasses that, among other things, restrict the field of vision. A back protector-like device with spikes also simulates advanced wear and tear on the musculoskeletal system.

NAO & PARO

The humanoid robot NAO makes it possible to learn programming languages in a playful way. Thanks to the stereo camera in combination with voice output and movable extremities, there are no limits to creativity. NAO is also able to hold a dialog if programmed accordingly.

PARO is also a robot. It is a care robot that can respond to speech and touch. The robot can also be classified as an assistive technology, but is still an exotic product in this country when it comes to care robotics.

Molecular Biology

For first-semester students at the Faculty of GM, there is a small molecular biology experimental setup. The so-called Bentolab is an all-in-one device that includes a centrifuge, a thermocycler, and a UV chamber. With these components, it is possible to carry out a polymerase chain reaction. In the experiment, students have the opportunity to learn basic molecular biology techniques and how to differentiate between beef and pork samples based on differences in DNA.