Dr. Epifania Bono

Work at ZHAW

Position

Research Associate in Tissue Engineering and Automated Systems

Focus

Bioprinting / Primary human cell cultures (healthy, cancer) / Scaffold-free and scaffold-based 3D cell cultures / Automated 3D cell cultures / Tissues of interest : bone, muscle, liver, kidney, skin, osteosarcoma / Drug and substance screening

Experience

Postdoc
Ibim CNR
10 / 2005 - 10 / 2006

Education and Continuing education

Education

• Dr. rer. nat. / Cellular and Molecular Biology
  University of Palermo
  09 / 2002 - 01 / 2006
• Degree in Biology / Biology
  University of Palermo
  09 / 1996 - 12 / 2001

Network

Social media

• Linkedin
• ResearchGate

Projects

• Bioprinting of biofilms / Team member / completed

Publications

Articles in scientific journal, peer-reviewed

• Deshmukh, D. V. et al. (2026) 'Acoustofluidic patterning for improved microtissue histology', Advanced NanoBiomed Research, 6(4), p. e202500079. doi: 10.1002/anbr.202500079.
• Zumofen, L. et al. (2022) 'Properties of additive-manufactured open porous titanium structures for patient-specific load-bearing implants', Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering, 7(830126). doi: 10.3389/fmech.2021.830126.
• Alave Reyes-Furrer, A. et al. (2021) 'Matrigel 3D bioprinting of contractile human skeletal muscle models recapitulating exercise and pharmacological responses', Communications Biology, 4(1), p. 1183. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02691-0.
• Hendrawan, S. et al. (2020) 'Evaluation of 3D PLLA scaffolds coated with nano‐thick collagen as carrier for hepatocytes', Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B : Applied Biomaterials, 109(5), pp. 723–732. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.34738.
• Hirsch, C. et al. (2017) 'Multiparameter toxicity assessment of novel DOPO-derived organophosphorus flame retardants', Archives of Toxicology, 91(1), pp. 407–425. doi: 10.1007/s00204-016-1680-4.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2015) 'Standardized 3D bioprinting of soft tissue models with human primary cells', SLAS Technology: Translating Life Sciences Innovation, 21(4), pp. 496–509. doi: 10.1177/2211068214567146.
• Bono, E. et al. (2010) 'Tissue Engineering - the gateway to regenerative medicine', Chimia. Edited by D. P. Alexakis, 64(11), pp. 808–812. doi: 10.2533/chimia.2010.808.
• Mauth, C. et al. (2009) 'Cell-seeded polyurethane-fibrin structures : a possible system for intervertebral disc regeneration', European Cells & Materials, 18, pp. 27–39. doi: 10.22203/eCM.v018a03.

Written conference contributions, peer-reviewed

Jung, C. et al. (2015) 'Cell viability on titanium implant surfaces modified with antibacterial copper', in European Cells and Materials. Swiss Society for Biomaterials, p. 24. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-1761.

Other publications

• Bono, E. et al. (2022) 'Automation of 3D cell culture using cellulose-based scaffolds', in Biointerfaces International Conference (BIC), Zurich, Switzerland, 12-15 September 2022. Winterthur: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-25998.
• Bono, E. (2020) Automated 3D cell culture using Corning® 96-well spheroid microplates on the Fluent® automation workstation. Tecan.
• Bono, E., Mathes, S. and Rimann, M. (2017) 'Evaluation of 3D hepatic tissue models for bioprinting', in TERMIS-EU 2017 Conference, Davos, 26-30 June 2017. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-3590.
• Bono, E. et al. (2017) 'In vitro characterization of a new composite material for biomedical applications and 3D (bio)printing', in TEDD Annual Meeting, Wädenswil, 8-9 November 2017. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-3587.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2017) 'Development of a matrix-based technology platform for the high throughput analysis of 3D cell cultures', in Swiss Medtech Day, Bern, 13 June 2017. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-3588.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2016) 'A novel multiwell device for drug development with bioprinted 3D human tendon and skeletal muscle tissues', in Swiss Medtech Day, Bern, 7 June 2016.
• Bono, E. et al. (2016) '3D PLLA-collagen matrices as carrier for hepatocytes (type Chen-Baermed) an in vitro study', in Sponsorenanlass Klinik Hirslanden, Zürich, 2016.
• Mathes, S. et al. (2016) 'Development of an immune responsive in vitro 3D skin model for the examination of the immune suppressive and collagen stimulating activity of cosmetic actives', in Swiss Medtech Day, Bern, 7 June 2016.
• Bono, E. et al. (2016) '3D PLLA-collagen matrices as carriers for hepatocytes', in Swiss Medtech Day, Bern, 7 June 2016.
• Bono, E. et al. (2016) 'In vitro models of human skin models featuring a glycated dermis', in 4th International Cosmetic Innovation Days «Cosminnov», Orléans, France, 24-25 May 2016.
• Bono, E. et al. (2016) '3D PLLA-collagen matrices as carriers for hepatocytes', in 3D Cell Culture 2016, Freiburg, Germany, 19-21 April 2016.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2015) 'Bioprinted muscle/tendon for drug assessment', in NTN Swiss Biotech Innovation Day: The potential of industry-academia collaborations, Zug, 19 August 2015.
• Graf-Hausner, U. et al. (2015) 'A novel multiwell device for drug development with bioprinted 3D human tendon and skeletal muscle tissues', in CTI Medtech Event, Bern, 8. September 2015.
• Jung, C., Mathes, S. and Bono, E. (2015) 'Cell viability on titanium implant surfaces modified with antibacterial copper', in Medical Cluster [MEET THE EXPERTS] – Technologies and Innovation for Cost Reduction, Interlaken, Switzerland, 7–8 May 2015.
• Bono, E. et al. (2014) 'Skin bioprinting : an innovative approach to produce standardized skin models on demand', in Swiss Biotech Innovation Day 2014 «the Potential of Industry-Academia Collaborations», Basel, 28 August 2014.
• Graf-Hausner, U. et al. (2014) 'A novel multiwell device for drug development with bioprinted 3D human tendon and skeletal muscle tissues', in CTI Medtech Event, Bern, 2. September 2014.
• Pörtner, R. et al. (2014) 'Aktuelle Trends bei der in vitro-Substanztestung in Deutschland und in der Schweiz', BIOspektrum, 20(4), pp. 470–472. doi: 10.1007/s12268-014-0466-6.
• Striegl, B. et al. (2012) 'Cell-seeded thermoreversible hydrogel-polyurethane composites for nucleus pulposus augmentation', in Proceedings of the 3D Cell Culture 2012 congress. Dechema Biotechnologie. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-1752.
• Striegl, B. et al. (2012) 'Human disc cells and mesenchymal stem cells differentiation in a thermoreversible hydrogel : an in vitro and ex-vivo study', in Orthopaedic Research Society Congress, San Francisco, USA, 4-7 February 2012.
• Santini, D. et al. (2012) 'Tissue engineering for drug development : defined organotypic skin models', in 3D Cell Culture 2012: Zurich, 14-16 March 2012. Dechema Biotechnologie. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-1753.
• Graf-Hausner, U., Schmid, D. and Bono, E. (2011) 'Plant extracts to overcome negative effects of glycation in human skin', in CTI Medtech Event 2011, Bern, 23. August 2011. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-1750.
• Striegl, B. et al. (2011) 'Ex-vivo evaluation of thermoreversible hylauronan-based hydrogel as mesenchymal stem cells carrier for nucleus pulposus repair', in Proceedings of the New Horizons in Intervertebral Disc Research Conference.
• Franscini, N. et al. (2010) 'Disc regeneration : automation for a new cell-based approach', in eCM XI «Cartilage & Disc: Repair and Regeneration», Davos, 28-30 June 2010.
• Mauth, C. et al. (2010) 'SMART biomaterial : bioactive synthetic bone repair material for large oral bone defects', in CTI Medtech Event, Bern, 31. August 2010.
• Mauth, C. et al. (2010) 'Development of a smart biomaterial for osseointegration in oral defects', in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Societym, Galway, Ireland, 13 June 2010.
• Franscini, N. et al. (2009) 'Automation and standardization of tissue culture processes for regenerative medicine', in CTI Medtech Event, Bern, 1. September 2009.
• Mauth, C. et al. (2009) 'Bioactive synthetic bone repair material for large oral bone defects', in CTI Medtech Event, Bern, 1. September 2009.
• Franscini, N. et al. (2009) 'Economic production of quality controlled primary cells for cell based assays by automating tissue culture processes', in MipTech - the leading European Event for Drug Discovery, Basel, 13-15 October 2009.
• Franscini, N. et al. (2009) 'Intervertebral disc degeneration : automation of tissue culture processes for regenerative medicine', in Annual Meeting European Society for Artificial Organs, Compiègne, France, 2-5 September 2009.
• Mauth, C. et al. (2008) 'Biomaterial : bioactive synthetic bone repair material for large oral bone', in CTI Medtech Event, Bern, 2. September 2008.
• Franscini, N. et al. (2008) 'Automation and standardization of tissue culture processes for regenerative medicine', in CTI Medtech Event, Bern, 2. September 2008.

Oral conference contributions and abstracts

• Rimann, M. et al. (2017) '3D bioprinted tissue models for substance testing', in International Conference and Exhibition - Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS 2017), Washington, USA, 4–8 February 2017.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2016) '3D models for compound testing', in 3rd 3D Models & Drug Screening Conference, Berlin, Germany, 11-12 May 2016.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2016) 'Bioprinted tissues for substance evaluation', in Biointerfaces International 2016 Conference, Zurich, 23-25 August 2016.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2016) 'Bioprinted tissue models for substance evalution', in Basel Life Science Week 2016, Basel, 19-23 September 2016.
• Graf-Hausner, U. et al. (2016) 'A novel multiwell device for drug development with bioprinted 3D human tendon and skeletal muscle tissues', in Swiss Medtech Day, Bern, 7 June 2016.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2016) '3D tissue models : new perspectives in medicine', in 2016 Conference and Exhibition for Cutting-Edge Medicine (CLINAM 9), Basel, 26-29 June 2016.
• Bono, E. et al. (2016) 'Standardized 3D bioprinting of skin models for drug development', in 4th International Cosmetic Innovation Days «Cosminnov», Orléans, France, 24-25 May 2016.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2016) 'Bioprinted tissues for substance testing', in 3D Cell Culture 2016, Freiburg, Germany, 19-21 April 2016.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2015) 'Soft tissue bioprinting in tissue engineering for drug development', in Olten Meeting 2015: Antibiotics and Bioprinting - for a better life, Biotechnet Switzerland, Olten, 18 November 2015.
• Rimann, M. et al. (2015) 'Bioprinted soft tissue models for compound testing', in International Conference on Biofabrication (Biofabrication 2015), Utrecht, Netherlands, 7-9 November 2015.
• Bono, E. et al. (2014) 'Skin bioprinting : an approach to produce standardized skin models on demand', in DECHEMA - 3D Cell Culture 2014, Freiburg, Germany, 25-27 June 2014.
• Striegl, B. et al. (2012) 'In vitro evaluation of a thermoreversible hyaluronan-based hydrogel loaded with cell-seeded polyurethane particles for nucleus pulposus repair', in World Forum for Spine Research, Helsinki, Finland, 18-21 June 2012. AOSpine.
• Bono, E. et al. (2010) 'Oral large bone defects : the suitability of a new biomaterial combination', in 23rd European Conference on Biomaterials (ESB 2010), Tampere, 11-15 September 2010.
• Franscini, N. et al. (2009) 'Intervertebral disc degeneration : automation of tissue culture processes for regenerative medicine applications', in Deutscher Wirbelsäule Kongress, München, Deutschland, 10.-12. Dezember 2009.
• Bono, E. et al. (2009) 'Intervertebral disc regeneration : small and large scale systems', in 12th Annual Seminar & Meeting - Ceramics, Cells and Tissues, Faenza, Italy, 1 May 2009.
• Bono, E. (2008) 'Intervertebral disc augmentation : an alternative', in Annual Meeting European Society for Artificial Organs, Geneva, 3.-6. September 2008.
• Bono, E. (2008) 'Tissue engineering of intervertebral discs : small and large scale options', in Swiss-Japanese Meeting on Spine Research, Zurich, 2008.
• Bono, E. (2008) 'Intervertebral disc augmentation : an alternative', in International Summer School in Advanced Biotechnology, Palermo, Italy, 2008.

Publications before appointment at the ZHAW

• Properties of additive-manufactured open porous titanium structures for patient-specific load-bearing implants
• Matrigel 3D bioprinting of contractile human skeletal muscle models recapitulating exercise and pharmacological responses
• Evaluation of 3D PLLA scaffolds coated with nano‐thick collagen as carrier for hepatocytes
• Multiparameter toxicity assessment of novel DOPO-derived organophosphorus flame retardants
• Standardized 3D bioprinting of soft tissue models with human primary cells
• Tissue Engineering - the gateway to regenerative medicine
• Cell-seeded polyurethane-fibrin structures : a possible system for intervertebral disc regeneration

Other publications

• Thyroid Hormones Induce Sumoylation of the Cold Shock Domain-Containing Protein PIPPin in Developing Rat Brain and in Cultured Neurons
• Synergistic effects of neurons and astrocytes on the differentiation of brain capillary endothelial cells in culture

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