In therapeutic medicine, biosurfaces (i.e., biomaterial and cell surfaces) inevitably come in contact with human blood and tissues. Classical examples of high clinical importance are biomaterial implants (e.g., heart valves, stents), extracorporeal circuits (e.g., in hemodialysis or cardiopulmonary bypass surgery), bioengineered devices (e.g. pumps or drug delivery vehicles), soft and hard tissue implants, whole organ transplants, and cell therapies. Such interactions frequently trigger activation of  defense systems such as the complement, contact and coagulation cascades, and contribute to anaphylactoid reactions, ischemia-reperfusion injury, thrombo-inflammation and immune responses that negatively affect the clinical outcome. Optimal tissue integration and modulation of foreign body reactions is therefore essential for preserving anticipated functions and avoiding adverse effects. Modification of biosurfaces and pharmaceutical intervention are both viable strategies that produced successful examples, yet biosurface-induced complications such as rejection, local and systemic inflammation and thrombosis remain major problems in the clinic. It becomes progressively evident that the complexities of the underlying processes require a multidisciplinary approach between basic sciences such as immunology, cell biology, materials sciences, drug discovery and clinical specialties in adjacent fields for advancing to enhanced treatment options.

This conference therefore aims to bring together academic and industry scientists and clinical development experts, who are focused on contemporary and emerging aspects of improving treatments employing biosurfaces. Topics will include mechanistic and applied research within the fields of extracorporeal devices, soft and hard tissue implants, tissue and biomaterial-targeting, therapeutic modulation of foreign body reactions, cell encapsulations, as well as cell and whole organ transplantation.