The main topic of our research ist he development of cellular systems and monitoring tools for the characterisation of cell-material interaction. For this we study:

• cell migration,
• proliferation
• differentiation
• cell-cell interaction

of cells on materials (e.g. metals, ceramics, polymers).

For this purpose, we try to model the in vivo situation in vitro as closely as possible using preferentially primary human cells and multi-cell type models. We aim to monitor the performance of cells if possible on-line.

To obtain knowledge regarding cell-surface interactions these in vitro models are being used to correlate:

• chemical composition of the surface,
• physical properties
• structure (incl. nanostructure/Np),
• release of bioactive substances and
• applied forces (incl. magnetic) at the cell-material interface with:
  • cellular performance including cell migration and
  • the competition/interaction between cells

Currently we especially focus on development of materials for nanomedicine and on the development on new ways to produce bone related implants with bioactive surfaces.

Dr. Katharina Maniura (curriculum vitae)

Empa, CTI, Volkswagen Foundation, EU 7^th, PhD School Empa-Poland, Spanish government (MICINN), SNF, SNF NFP64, CCMX

• Empa internal: Advanced fibres (St. Gallen); Biomaterials (St. Gallen); Nanoscale Materials Science (Dübendorf)
• National: Bischof Textiles (St. Gallen); Ionbond (Olten); Synthes (Waldeburg); Uni Bern (Bern), KSSG Katonsspital St. Gallen, ETH