Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, CH) is the research institute for materials science and technology of the ETH Domain and conducts cutting-edge materials and technology research for the benefit of the industry and the well-being of society. It specializes in applications, focused research and development, and provides high-level services in the field of sustainable materials science and technology. The Nanomaterials in Health Lab located in St. Gallen enables particle-based solutions for diagnostics and therapeutics driven by clinical needs. We are active in characterizing, understanding and steering the interaction of particulate materials with human cells or tissues and provide expertise in the interdisciplinary field of particulate materials safety and applications for industry or authorities.  

In the UPRISE Project, Empa will contribute with human-relevant in vitro/ex vivo models of the placenta and extensive expertise in nanoparticle-biobarrier interactions to understand the uptake, translocation and toxicity mechanisms of UFP and MNPs at the human placenta.