Materials that are developed and used to remedy the loss of function caused by the loss of or damage to tissues are called biomaterials. In the last decades, tissue engineering products are also added to the biomaterials range. These products differ from the classical biomaterials due to the addition of living cells and bioactive agents into their biodegradable structures. Most tissue engineering products integrate into host's own tissue upon implantation, and heal the defect site while gradually being replaced by the regenerating tissue.

METU is a pioneer in education and research in the Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering field. Since the early 1980's METU has conferred M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees, offered biomaterials related courses, conducted research, and organized seminars, workshops and conferences (e.g. BIOMED symposium series). 

In 2010 the "Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering" was established within METU with a grant supported by the Presidency of Strategy and Budget (formerly the State Planning Organization of Turkey and later Turkish Ministry of Development). The "Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Application and Research Center" was established with the approval of METU Senate and The Council of Higher Education (Turkey), with the acronym "BIOMATEN".

BIOMATEN aims to become a national and international reference and counseling point, to be able to consult and guide the state institutions that make decisions, and also financially support projects, medical industrialists, and young and expert researchers. We also wish to support the medical sector in the development and production of high added value products, and characterization and certification of medical products. Our goal is to put the products developed within the Center into clinical trials and release them into the market in the upcoming years. We believe this translational process is of great importance for us and our country.