Background Independent Matrix Models
  A class of background independent matrix models is made for which the structure of both local gauge symmetries and classical solutions is clarified. These matrix models do not involve a space-time metric and provide the matrix analogs of topological Chern-Simons and BF theories. It is explicitly shown that the BF type of matrix model can be formulated in any space-time dimension and include 3+1 dimensional gravity as a special case. Moreover, we discuss some generalization of the model to include a fermionic BRST-like symmetry whose partition function is related to the Casson invariant. 
Ichiro Oda