Nanomaterials are opening up new possibilities in medicine. But what if such nanomaterials escape into the environment? Empa researchers are currently assessing potential risks.

In the laboratory, scientists have created miniature brains whose cells interact with each other and produce electrical activity. But just how much do the models have to do with the original?

Pioneering micro-surgery: At the University Hospital in Zurich, a patient was given the finest connections between lymph vessels and veins - by robot.

Engineers at MIT have developed a sweat-proof electronic "skin." The design could lead to adaptable, wearable monitors for monitoring skin cancer and other diseases.

Anesthetic drugs affect the brain. But to tell if a patient will remain unconscious during surgery, most anesthesiologists rely on heart rate, breathing rate and movement. Algorithms could improve this process.

Researchers have succeeded in evoking tangible but invisible presences in Parkinson's patients with the help of a robot.

An international research team led jointly from Zurich and Lausanne has developed a novel interface between leg prostheses and the wearer’s thigh that transmits sensations to the brain. The interface has already enabled two volunteers to walk more easily and has reduced their phantom pain.

Breakthrough in pulmonary research: An artificial mini-lung is set to open up new insights into diseases.

Researchers have created a reference database of a blood marker that can be used to measure the disease state of patients with multiple sclerosis. They hope this will open the way to more targeted and personalised therapies.

With the help of electrodes implanted in the brain, a paralysed ALS patient has regained a simple form of communication ability. A computer decodes letters from his brain signals.