Seminar in advanced additive manufacturing: Biohybrid systems opportunities and challenges
Event details
| Date | 07.05.2026 |
| Hour | 14:15 |
| Speaker | Dr. Maurizio Gullo, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
*** This seminar is part of the Micro-413 course, but is open to the interested public ***
Abstract
Conventional implants are static systems that cannot adapt to their biological environment, which limits long term performance and integration. This lecture outlines the transition toward active implants based on biohybrid concepts, where living cells are used as functional building blocks. A brief overview of the available biological toolkit is given, including relevant cell types and tissue components that can be combined into functional systems. Key considerations when working with cells such as viability, organization, signaling, and scalability are highlighted. Finally, two fabrication approaches at different length scales are presented, from macroscopic assembly to microscale structuring, with selected examples illustrating their potential for engineering active implant systems.
Bio sketch
Dr. Maurizio Gullo received his master’s degree in applied physics from the University of Neuchâtel in 2002 and his PhD in 2006, working in the Nanotools group under Prof. Urs Stauffer and Prof. Nico de Rooij within the NCCR Nano program. His research focused on developing AFM cantilevers for combined SECM AFM measurements of protein membranes in collaboration with Prof. Andreas Engel. He then joined the Group of Professor Brugger at EPFL as a postdoctoral researcher, where he co-led additive manufacturing projects across nano, micro, and macro scales, including self-assembled monolayers, cell assembly by optical trapping, polymer derived ceramic micro implants, and self-assembling capsule systems for drug delivery. As an EU FP7 Marie Curie Fellow, he further specialized in biohybrid manufacturing at the University of Tokyo and the University of Freiburg im Breisgau, developing muscle driven microrobots and advancing cell assembly techniques using optical tweezers. Since 2017, he has led the Biofabrication Group at the Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics at FHNW in Muttenz. His research focuses on tissue engineering, organ on chip systems, 3D nanolithography, and biohybrid implants.
*** These seminars are part of the Micro-413 course, but are open to the interested public ***
Abstract
Conventional implants are static systems that cannot adapt to their biological environment, which limits long term performance and integration. This lecture outlines the transition toward active implants based on biohybrid concepts, where living cells are used as functional building blocks. A brief overview of the available biological toolkit is given, including relevant cell types and tissue components that can be combined into functional systems. Key considerations when working with cells such as viability, organization, signaling, and scalability are highlighted. Finally, two fabrication approaches at different length scales are presented, from macroscopic assembly to microscale structuring, with selected examples illustrating their potential for engineering active implant systems.
Bio sketch
Dr. Maurizio Gullo received his master’s degree in applied physics from the University of Neuchâtel in 2002 and his PhD in 2006, working in the Nanotools group under Prof. Urs Stauffer and Prof. Nico de Rooij within the NCCR Nano program. His research focused on developing AFM cantilevers for combined SECM AFM measurements of protein membranes in collaboration with Prof. Andreas Engel. He then joined the Group of Professor Brugger at EPFL as a postdoctoral researcher, where he co-led additive manufacturing projects across nano, micro, and macro scales, including self-assembled monolayers, cell assembly by optical trapping, polymer derived ceramic micro implants, and self-assembling capsule systems for drug delivery. As an EU FP7 Marie Curie Fellow, he further specialized in biohybrid manufacturing at the University of Tokyo and the University of Freiburg im Breisgau, developing muscle driven microrobots and advancing cell assembly techniques using optical tweezers. Since 2017, he has led the Biofabrication Group at the Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics at FHNW in Muttenz. His research focuses on tissue engineering, organ on chip systems, 3D nanolithography, and biohybrid implants.
*** These seminars are part of the Micro-413 course, but are open to the interested public ***
- 3D microprinting with Two-Photon Polymerisation, Jochen Zimmer, 30.04.2026
- Biohybrid systems opportunities and challenges, Maurizio Gullo, 07.05.2026
- Volumetric 3D printing: materials and applications, Paul Delrot, 21.05.2026
- Functional prototyping in educational projects, Sebastien Martinerie, 28.05.2026
Practical information
- General public
- Free