Leading Swiss Biomedical Researcher Receives US Excellence in Surface Science Award

Oct. 26, 2012 - PRLog -- - Research has been vital in enhancing both the safety of implant devices as well as the development of new devices

Professor Marcus Textor, a leading Swiss biomedical researcher, has been presented with the prestigious Excellence in Surface Science Award by the US-based Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation during its BioInterface 2012 conference held at University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland.

Professor Marcus Textor has recently retired from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.

The Excellence in Surface Science Award was established by the Foundation in 1991 to recognise an individual who has advanced the field of surface science in the biomedical sciences or who has advanced the practical application of surface science in the biomedical industry.

Professor Textor was presented with the award in recognition of his outstanding research, over many years, into achieving a fundamental understanding of how the body interacts with implanted materials, as well as tailoring the surface properties of medical devices to enhance their biocompatibility. This contribution has been vital in enhancing both the safety of implant devices as well as in the development of new devices.

The Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation established in 1991, is primarily an industry focused organisation that includes more than 25 major, global biomedical-based companies representing all phases of biomedical research and device manufacture.
On graduating with a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Zurich and postdoctoral research experience from the University of Sussex, Professor Textor spent the first 16 years of his career at AluSuisse’s Technology Centre in Switzerland.  

He then joined the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. During an almost 20-year career in the Institute he produced an outstanding record of academic research in areas of materials chemistry, biointerfaces and surfaces in biotechnology.

He has published over 210 peer-reviewed journal papers along with 9 book chapters and monographs and has supervised over 40 PhD theses. He has also served as a member of the International Editorial Board of the leading journal, Biomaterials (Elsevier) and was editor of the landmark treatise, Titanium in Medicine, Springer Verlag (2001).  

In 2006, he became Director of the Materials for Life Sciences unit of the Swiss Competence Centre for Materials Science and Technology establishing a unique educational outreach programme for Swiss graduate students in industrial and applied educational activities all over Switzerland.  

On presenting the award to Professor Textor, Dan Hook, Principal Scientist, Bausch & Lomb and President of the Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation said, “I am delighted to present the 2012 Excellence in Surface Science Award to Professor Marcus Textor. This award recognises his creative and elegant technical contributions to surface modification strategies and novel analytical methods for complex biointerfacial applications over many years.”

He added, “He is one of the most generous, selfless, and warm-hearted personalities in the field, extending his resources, lab facilities and hospitality to host many of the world’s best minds in the bio-interfaces area.”  

Over 200 delegates attended the annual BioInterface conference which was held in University College Dublin over the last 3-days. This was the first time that the BioInterface conference was held outside of the United States since it was first established over 20 years ago.

According to Dan Hook, one of reasons why the Foundation decided to hold its BioInterface 2012 conference in Ireland was “the strength of the medical device industry in Ireland and the strong engagement with researchers at University College Dublin.”

Representatives from companies such as DePuy, Medtronic, EnBio, Bausch & Lomb SurModics, BASF and Boston Scientific, amongst others, took part in the conference.

In addition leading academic researchers from universities such as University of Utah, University of Sydney, Utrecht University, University of Washington, University of Liverpool, Nanyang Technological University along with researchers from UCD, UCC and NUI Galway presented their latest research findings during the conference.

Dr Denis Dowling, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and John O’Donoghue, CEO, EnBio Ltd, which is headquartered at NovaUCD, the Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs, were the Irish representatives on the BioInterface 2012 programme committee.

The award presented to Professor Textor was designed by Irish artist Deirdre Rogers.

ENDS
26 October 2012

For further information contact Micéal Whelan, University College Dublin, Communications Manager (Innovation), e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie, t: + 353 1 716 3712 or Dr Denis Dowling, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering,  e: denis.dowling@ucd.ie or t: +353 1  716 1747.