IBISSBRM2025: Excellence in Biomaterials — EPFL BioE Days 2025, Joint Symposium with SSB+RM2025
EPFL Rolex Learning Center (RLC) Forum, August 20-22, 2025
Join us for the 2025 edition of the Bioengineering Day / SSB+RM Annual Meeting. This interdisciplinary symposium brings together leading researchers at the forefront of bioengineering, nanomedicine, and molecular biotechnology. With a program featuring exceptional invited speakers and emerging talents, the meeting will explore cutting-edge strategies for engineering biological interfaces, from DNA nanotechnology and synthetic biology to immune modulation and regenerative medicine.
The event provides a vibrant platform for scientific exchange, highlighting innovation, excellence, and translational potential in bioengineering.
Program
updated: 03.08.2025
A. EXCELLENCE in BIOMATERIALS – MAIN EVENT
EPFL BioE Days 2025, Joint Symposium with SSB+RM
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 / venue: EPFL Rolex Learning Center (RLC) Forum
| 12:30-13:30 | Registration |
| 13:30-13:40 | Welcome & Opening Words |
| 13:40-14:20 | Keynote Talk: Kam Leong, Columbia University, New York (USA) Design of Nucleic Acid-Binding Biomaterials for Inflammatory Diseases |
| 14:20-15:05 | Contributed Short Junior Talks: |
| 14:20-14:35 | Max Urbanczyk, Rottmar Lab, EMPA Dübendorf (CH) A Non-Contracting 3D Gingiva Model to Study Soft Tissue Integration of Dental Implants |
| 14:35-14:50 | Lorenzo Lucherini, Amstad Lab, EPFL (CH) Laser Writing of Electrically Conductive Micropatterns in Soft Hydrogels |
| 14:50-15:05 | Jiabei Luo, Yujia Lab, EPFL (CH) A Selective Frequency Damping and Janus Adhesive Hydrogel as Bioelectronic Interfaces for Clinical Trials |
| 15:05-15:35 | Invited Talk: Eileen Gentleman, University of Lausanne (CH) Synthetic Hydrogels Reveal a Role for ILC1 in Intestinal Epithelial and Matrix Remodelling |
| 16:00-17:00 | Contributed Short Junior Talks: |
| 16:00-16:15 | Bin Wang, Zenobi-Wong Lab, ETH Zurich (CH) Next Generation Nerve Conduits: Flight Biofabrication of Collagen Grafts with Enhanced Strength |
| 16:15-16:30 | Annina Stuber, Nakatsuka Lab, EPFL (CH) Shape-Shifting Aptamer-Modified Nanopores for Neurotransmitter Detection |
| 16:30-16:45 | Bianca Maria Carrara, Ehrbar Lab, University of Zurich (CH) In Vivo Dynamics of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells During Bone Marrow Organoid Formation |
| 16:45-17:00 | Shujie Li, Bastings Lab, EPFL (CH) Pattern and Precision for pMHC – TCR Activation |
| 17:00-17:30 | SSB+RM General Assembly |
| 17:30-19:00 | Networking Apéro & Poster Session (1) |
| 19:00-22:00 | Social Evening: outdoor BBQ Dinner, music / DJs venue: Rolex Learning Center Arches |
Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 / venue: EPFL Rolex Learning Center (RLC) Forum
| 09:00-09:40 | Keynote Talk: Carlijn Bouten, Technical University, Eindhoven (NL) Material-Driven In Situ Tissue Regeneration |
| 09:40-10:05 | Invited Talk: Xiao-Hua Qin, ETH Zurich (CH) Microarchitected Biomaterials: Geometry-Guided Tissue Morphogenesis |
| 10:05-10:30 | Invited Talk: Simone Schürle-Finke, ETH Zurich (CH) Engineering and Controlling Biohybrid Microrobots for Therapeutic Interventions |
| 10:30-11:00 | Coffee Break |
| 11:00-12:30 | Award Talks: Hubbell-Swartz Young Bioengineer Award |
| 11:00-11:15 | Mischa Flór, Roke Lab, EPFL (CH) A New Window Into Molecular Interactions in Aqueous Solutions |
| 11:15-11:30 | Vojislav Gligorovski, Rahi Lab, EPFL (CH) Continuous Evolution of Protein Switches Through Engineered Cell-Cycle Control |
| 11:30-11:45 | Wangjie Liu, Deplancke Lab, EPFL (CH) Dissecting the Impact of Transcription Factor Dose on Cell Reprogramming Heterogeneity Using scTF-seq |
| 11:45-12:00 | Lucas Meirelles, Persat Lab, EPFL (CH) Dynamic Host-Pathogen Co-Adaptation in Chronic Airway Infection |
| 12:10-12:25 | RMS Best SSB+RM PhD Thesis Award: Patrick Weber, Zenobi-Wong Lab, ETHZ (CH) Zwitterionic Polymers for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoarthritis |
| 12:30-14:00 | Buffet Lunch & Poster Session (2) |
| 14:00-14:25 | Invited Talk: Matteo D’Este, AO Davos (CH) Shaping Polymers into Cell-Instructive Constructs for Musculoskeletal Applications |
| 14:25-15:10 | Contributed Short Junior Talks: |
| 14:25-14:40 | Chunyan Zhang, Marsano Lab, University of Basel (CH) Stromal Vascular Fraction Cell-Engineered Patch Induces Angiogenesis in Orthotopic and Ischemic Rat Hearts |
| 14:40-14:55 | Weilin Li, Tang Lab, EPFL (CH) Tumor Stiffening Potentiates CD4+ T Cell Mediated Killing in an MHC-II Restricted and IFNg Dependent Manner |
| 14:55-15:10 | Cecilia Siri, Stellacci Lab (EPFL) Protein Crowding and Interactions |
| 15:10-15:30 | Coffee Break |
| 15:30-16:00 | Contributed Short Junior Talks: |
| 15:30-15:45 | Angela Steinauer, Steinauer Lab, EPFL (CH) Engineering Protein Cages for RNA Delivery |
| 15:45-16:00 | Alex Zadro, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona (CH) A High-Throughput Bone Marrow 3D Co-Culture System to Study Resistance to BCR Signaling Targeted Agents in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma |
| 16:00-16:40 | Keynote Talk: Cole DeForest, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (USA) Engineering Native Biological Complexity from the Inside-Out and Outside-In |
| 16:45-17:15 |
Award Ceremony: Announcement of Laureates of SSB+RM Awards: |
| 17:15-17:25 | Closing Remarks & Farewell |
| 17:30 (max.) | End of Symposium |
B. YOUNG SCIENTIST (YS) Meeting – SATELLITE EVENT
(starting one day earlier)
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 / venue: EPFL Rolex Learning Center (RLC) Forum
| 14:00-15:00 | Welcome by doctoral students of the BioE and Materials doctoral programs Pitches by EPFL labs offering tours: – Yuduo Chen & Benjamin Rousseau (Bastings Lab) – Sandrine Georgeon (Correia Lab) – Leonie Kolmar & Tianhao Li (Merten Lab) – Antoine Reitzel & Alexander Nottegar (Pioletti Lab) – Nianduo Cai (Radenovic Lab) – Weilin Li (Tang Lab) |
| 15:00-16:30 | Guided Lab Tours to: – Bastings Lab (PBL) – Correia Lab (LPDI) – Merten Lab (LBMM) – Pioletti Lab (LBO) – Radenovic Lab (LBEN) – Tang Lab (LBI) (alphabetically listed) |
| 16:30-open | Apéro and social program (lakeside picnic) |
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 / venue: EPFL Rolex Learning Center (RLC) Forum
| 09:00-09:30 | Registration |
| 09:30-09:40 | Welcome |
| 09:40-10:45 | Short Student / Postdoc Talks (10’ each): Alessandro Cianciosi, ARI, Davos (CH) Synergistic Fabrication of Mechanically Tuneable Peptide-Fibrin Membranes via Sound-Guided and Supramolecular Assembly Nadia Ben Sayed, Tang Lab, EPFL (CH) Stimuli-Responsive Prodrugs for Targeted Glutamine Restriction Rahul Rimal, EMPA St. Gallen (CH) Development of In Vitro 3-D Melanoma Model for Therapy Assessment Nikita Norkin, Sakar Lab, EPFL (CH) Microscale Mechanics of Tumor Tissue Cutting for in Vitro Culture and Drug Testing Margherita Bernero, ETH Zurich (CH) Guiding Cell Network Formation in Architected Hydrogels by Subtractive Two-Photon Microprinting Alexander Nottegar, Pioletti Lab, EPFL (CH) Polymer Entanglements in Hydrogel Networks for Fatigue Resistant Biomedical Adhesives |
| 10:45-11:00 | Coffee Break |
| 11:00-12:30 | Career Session (lunch bags provided to registrants having ordered them) |
| 11:00-11:45 | Short Talks – Main Program speakers / early-career PIs share their personal path and perspective on young scientist careers: – Angela Steinauer, EPFL – Eileen Gentleman, University of Lausanne – Xiao-Hua Qin, ETH Zurich – Li Tang, EPFL |
| 11:45-12:30 | Panel Discussion moderated by: – Antonio Sileo, University of Basel, SSB+RM YS – Nikita Norkin, EPFL, EDBB, Sakar Lab |
| 12:30 | End of Young Scientists Satellite Event |
Conference Fees
Do not apply to the EPFL community.
| in CHF | Early Bird | After July 15 |
| Students | 200 | 250 |
| + YS with lunch box | 215 | 265 |
| everyone else | 300 | 350 |
Abstract Submission for Poster Presentations
Submit your abstract here using this template.
Abstract submission deadline: August 9th
Notification on acceptance:
(Note: Only single page .docx files will be accepted and only poster presentations are available.)
Location and Directions
Rolex Learning Center EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
show location on Google map
Public Transportation
Organisation
Meeting chairs:
Maartje Bastings (EPFL)
Markus Rottmar (EMPA St. Gallen)
Li Tang (EPFL)
Local organizing committee:
Maartje Bastings
Li Tang
Barbara Goumaz
Christina Mattsson
Dietrich Reinhard
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SSB+RM is affiliated to the European Society for Biomaterials
