Interfacial dynamics of adsorption layers as support of biomedical research and diagnostics

The input of chemical and physical sciences to life sciences is increasingly important. Surface science as a complex multidisciplinary research area provides many relevant practical tools to support for example research in medicine. Tensiometry and surface rheology of human biological liquid as diagnostic tool is very successfully applied. Also for the characterization of pulmonary surfactants, this methodology is essential to deepen the insight into the functionality of lungs and the most efficient administration of drugs. Problems in ophthalmology can be addressed by surface science methods, such as the stability of wetting films and the development of artificial tears. The serious problem of obesity is a fast developing disease in many industrial countries and must be better understood and therapies for its treatment developed. Finally, the application of fullerenes as a suitable system for detecting cancer in humans is discussed.