Biomedical Interfaces

A team of The BioInterface Group
Group Leader: Dr. Samuele Tosatti
Group Members

The research of the Biomedical Interfaces group is devoted to the development of new surfaces that best suite the needs of a modern biomaterial by use of monomolecular adlayer approaches that impart specifically tailored properties to the implant surface. In addition, close collaborations with selected partners in the field of biology allow us to gain a deeper view on cell-surface interaction processes.

Research Topics

1. Alkane phosphate self-assembled monolayers

Running projects:

• PEG-terminated alkane phosphate self-assembled monolayers on titanium oxide surfaces - S. Bozzini
• Functionalization of metal oxide surfaces with poly(alkane-phosphonate)copolymers - V. Zoulalian

Related Projects:

• A Modular Approach to Functional Self Assembled Monolayers
  F. Durmaz and S. Zürcher
• Synthesis of C10 to C18 Alkyl Phosphates and Characterisation of their Self-assembled Monolayers on Titanium Oxide
  D. Spori, S. Zürcher

2. Bio-Functionalized PLL-g-PEG coatings

Running Projects:

• Multifunctional titanium dental implant surface based on biochemically modified molecular assembly systems - M. Shuler
• Synthesis and characterization of collagen mimetic peptide for engineering integrin specific surfaces - Dr. S. Chessari

3. Bio-Functionalization of Gold surfaces

Running Projects:

• Control of Protein Adsorption Using Poly(propylene sulfide)-block- poly(ethylene glycol) Adlayers: New Potential Candidate for the Modification of Biosensor Chip Surfaces - L. Feller
• Selective Molecular Assembly Patterning on Gold: CMOS Biosensor with Guided Cell Growth
  SMAP on CMOS Chips for Cell guidance

Newest Project:

Surface Modifications by use of Tailor-Made Biomimetic Amphiphiles

Collaborations:

1. Dr. Ir. Arie Bruinink, MATISMED, EMPA St. Gallen
2. Dr. Franz Weber, Univesity of Zürich
3. Politecnico di Milano
4. Prof. J.J. Robin, Prof B. Boutevin and Dr. S. Monge, Laboratoire de Chimie Macromoléculaire - UMR 5076/ Organisation moléculaire; Evolution et matériaux fluorés - UMR 5073, Montpellier
5. Prof. Don Brunette, UBC, Canada
6. Prof. Barbara Boyan, GeogiaTech, USA
7. Dr. Geoff Richards, AO Davos
8. Wendy Franks, Physical Electronics Laboratory, ETH Zürich
9. Dr. Simona Cerritelli, Prof. Jeff Hubbell, Institute for Biological Engineering and Biotechnology, EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland

Industrial Partners:

1. Institut Straumann AG, Waldenburg, Switzerland
2. Synthes AG, Oberdorf, Switzerland

Funding:

ITI Center
Synthes AG, Oberdorf, Switzerland
SNF
ETH Zürich