International Conference: Medical Manuscript Cultures Across the Mediterranean

The international conference ‘Medical Manuscript Cultures Across the Mediterranean: Historical Knowledge and Its Potential for Ocular Remedies’ brings together researchers from the humanities, biomedical sciences, and materials science to explore how historical medical knowledge can inspire innovative approaches to eye health. Hosted at the Hafiz Ahmed Agha Library in Rhodes, the conference will examine the rich medical manuscript heritage of the Eastern Mediterranean and discuss how traditional remedies – particularly those based on frankincense – can be reassessed in light of contemporary biomedical research.

By investigating the intersection of manuscript studies, the history of medicine, nanotechnology, and advanced ocular drug-delivery systems, the conference highlights the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration to translate historical insights into innovative healthcare applications. Bringing together scholars from various disciplines and regions, the conference aims to build new international collaborations while demonstrating how dialogue between the humanities and the natural sciences can contribute to addressing global health challenges through historically informed innovation.