Prof. Marcus Textor
ETH Zürich, Switzerland

Marcus Textor is professor at ETH Zurich, Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology, and head of a research group dedicated to the area of surfaces and interfaces in bio-related fields of material science. He studied chemistry at the University of Zurich. His thesis covered the synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization of metalorganic complexes. Receiving a fellowship of the Royal Society he spent two years at the School of Molecular Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, Great Britain. Research covered the preparation of metal single crystals, their characterization using LEED, XPS and UPS and the monitoring of catalytic model reactions at these surfaces.

In 1978 he joined Alusuisse Central R&D Laboratories (now Alcan), Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland and started as a team leader in the area of surface analytical research and services (XPS, SIMS). He later became responsible for the development of new surface technologies before being appointed head of the Materials Department with worldwide responsibilities for materials aspects related to the fabrication and application of aluminium and composites for the automotive and packaging sector.

In 1994 he joined ETH Zurich, Department of Materials and built up a research group and teaching activities in the area of surfaces and interfaces of light metals and biointerfaces within the Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology. His current main interests cover both fundamental aspects in the behaviour of materials in contact with biological milieus and the design of surfaces by assembly of functional polymers that elicit biospecific responses. In terms of applications, his research activities aim at developments for the field of biosensors, biomaterials/medical implants and carriers for targeted drug delivery and medical imaging.