Introduction

SSB meetings are broad in scope. Topics include all aspects of materials for surgical and medical use and their interactions with cells and tissues. Studies of tissues as materials, including their mechanical properties, are also of interest. Papers can describe research, development, lab evaluation, or results of animal and clinical studies based on biomaterials, including characterization of retrieved specimens.

Our annual meetings are open to everyone interested in biomaterials science and engineering. Attendees typically include engineers, scientists, graduate students, physicians/surgeons/dentists in practice or still in training, and everyone from industries dealing with biomaterials. Students are especially encouraged to attend and to submit both podium presentations and posters.

2011 Meeting Theme & Structure

The 2011 topic and focus of the morning session was Applications of Biomaterials in Dental and Musculoskeletal Devices. The theme-related topics include:

• Biomaterials for dental or musculoskeletal applications: novel approaches, concepts, and limitations
• Characterization of biomaterials and medical devices for dental or musculoskeletal applications
• Clinical applications of biomaterials in dentistry, maxillofacial, orthopedic and spine surgery

Organising Committee

• Dr. Paul-Henri Vallotton, Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues
• Agnès Marcel, Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues
• Dr. Giancarlo Rizzoli, Mathys Ltd., Bettlach

Scientific Committee

• Dr. Katharina Maniura, Empa, St.Gallen
• Dr. Christine Wandrey, EPFL, Lausanne
• Prof. Marc Bohner, RMS Foundation, Bettlach
• Dr. Tobias Brunner, Biotronik AG, Bülach

Swiss Society for Biomaterials (SSB)

The SSB is the assembly of people in Switzerland working or interested in the field of biomaterials, be it on the industrial or the university level. Our Charter and Bylaws describe the goals of our Society. We welcome everybody interested in the wide field of biomaterials to participate in our meetings and to join our Society. The SSB is officially affiliated with the European Society for Biomaterials.