At the interface of innovation

From August 20-23, 2024, about 150 researchers, industry representatives and clinicians from 19 countries gathered in Muttenz for the 5th edition of the Biointerfaces International Conference. It was the first time the event was hosted near Basel, Switzerland’s pharmaceutical capital, which provided valuable networking opportunities between local and international experts.

Biointerfaces, where synthetic materials and biological systems interact with and engage each other, is one of the most innovative and rapidly expanding areas of science and technology. Understanding and steering bio-material interactions allows us to develop new medications, organoids, 3D cell models, medical devices, implants, and surgical instruments, all of which are important for a healthy population.

The conference opened with a keynote presentation by David Grainger from the University of Utah and closed with a virtual keynote by Molly Stevens from the University of Oxford. In addition to over 40 talks across 7 scientific areas, a pre-conference seminar enabled early-career researchers to directly connect with leading experts to discuss scientific and career development.

The exhibition floor was lively, featuring 15 organizations active in microscopy, cell models, and more. Many of them took the opportunity to pitch their technologies on stage. Over 40 participants presented scientific posters. Isli Cela, Léo Sifringer, Paula De Dios Andres, and Annina Stüber were each awarded a prize of 500 CHF for Best Scientific Poster.

Our Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics and Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Technology collaborated to host the event at our impressive campus in Muttenz. The conference was chaired by Oya Tagit (FHNW) in collaboration with Simone Schuerle (ETH Zürich), with support from Katharina Maniura (Empa), Markus Rimann (ZHAW), Sina Saxer (FHNW), and Sonia Thomson (FHNW). Canet Acigoz (Oerlikon) and Maria Hakanson (University of Zürich) led the organization of the industry session and panel.