Empa: Partner of the "sitem-insel" Competence Center
Closer to the patient
![https://3s17.empa.ch/documents/56164/10845493/sitem-insel+Stopperbild.jpg/bc23fcd7-4b40-471a-9deb-49ec20baf74f?t=1571899481000](https://3s17.empa.ch/documents/56164/10845493/sitem-insel+Stopperbild.jpg/bc23fcd7-4b40-471a-9deb-49ec20baf74f?t=1571899481000)
"sitem-insel" is a high-tech building. Walls made of glass and open meeting zones promote togetherness and the exchange of all partners who have rented a space there since the opening at the end of August. As a unique competence center" sitem-insel" supports the transition from research results or prototypes in the medical field to marketable products. The University Hospital of Bern in the immediate vicinity plays a key role in this and offers optimum conditions for an Empa research team to advance its projects as closely as possible to patients and using the latest technologies. "sitem-insel is for us a unique platform with a unique exchange function," says Alex Dommann, head of Empa's Materials meet Life department. Researchers receive samples directly from the hospital, can prepare them in the modern laboratories of "sitem-insel" and then forward them to the Empa sites in St. Gallen, Dübendorf and Thun. And where a path leads to, there is also a path back. Sooner or later, research at Empa will find its way back to the patient's bed.
![https://3s17.empa.ch/documents/56164/10845493/Sitem-insel+Geb%C3%A4ude.jpg/01d5d109-d9e9-4ee8-a9c7-1b35725fa3c5?t=1571899480000](https://3s17.empa.ch/documents/56164/10845493/Sitem-insel+Geb%C3%A4ude.jpg/01d5d109-d9e9-4ee8-a9c7-1b35725fa3c5?t=1571899480000)