Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering

Cluster

Research and Valorization 

Target audience

PhD students from life sciences, biomedical sciences, engineering, and materials science; both beginner and intermediate levels. Some familiarity with tissue engineering is helpful but not required.

Lecturers

Prof. Michiya Matsusaki
Affiliation: Osaka University, Graduate School of Engineering (Japan)

Prof. Matsusaki is an internationally recognized expert in 3D bioprinting, biomaterials, nanomaterials, and tissue engineering. He is particularly renowned for his work in layer-by-layer film assembly, vascularized tissue models, and functional cell culture systems such as blood–brain barrier chips and tendon–gel integrated 3D constructs. He has published over 208 peer-reviewed papers, holds more than 65 patents, and has accumulated over 7,380 citations, with an h-index of 47 and an i10-index of 144. He has delivered over 200 invited lectures worldwide and received 20 scientific awards, including the Publicity Award of SPSJ and the Award for Young Investigator from the Japanese Society for Biomaterials. His work bridges fundamental materials chemistry with biomedical translation, offering doctoral researchers a unique view into multidisciplinary innovation.

Prof. Benjamin Nottelet
Affiliation: Département des Polymères pour la santé et les Biomatériaux (PHBM), Institut de Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Université de Montpellier – CNRS UMR 5247 (France)

Prof. Benjamin Nottelet is an internationally recognized expert in the design and processing of biodegradable polymers for biomedical applications, including drug delivery, implantable devices, and surface modification. His research spans degradable elastomers, synthetic polymer vectors, and functional scaffolds for tissue engineering. He has authored over 94 peer-reviewed publications, holds several patents, and has presented his work at more than 100 scientific conferences. His recent work includes MRI-visible biomaterials and hybrid peptide–polymer systems. As director of a master’s program in medical devices and member of doctoral training boards, he brings deep expertise in translational biomaterials, bridging fundamental science with clinical and industrial applications.

Prof. Michael Monaghan
Affiliation: Trinity College Dublin (Ireland)

Prof. Michael Monaghan is a leading expert in cardiac tissue engineering, electroconductive biomaterials, and advanced biofabrication strategies. His research combines rational biomaterial design with stem cell-derived cardiac organoids, immunometabolism, and fibrosis modelling. He is internationally recognized for pioneering non-invasive imaging methods like FLIM and multiphoton microscopy to study extracellular matrix dynamics and cell metabolism. His lab develops cutting-edge melt-electrowriting techniques and collaborates with both academia and SMEs to advance medical devices. Prof. Monaghan has coordinated major EU-funded projects, including a Horizon2020 MSCA Doctoral Network and an ERC Consolidator Grant, and actively contributes to societies like TERMIS and Matrix Biology Ireland. His interdisciplinary work, spanning engineering, immunology, and regenerative medicine, reflects a deep commitment to translational science. His numerous awards and invited lectures underscore his influence in the field and his ability to train the next generation of biomedical innovators.

Prof. Anja Lena Thiebes
Affiliation: RWTH Aachen University (Germany)

Prof. Anja Lena Thiebes is a leading researcher in respiratory tissue engineering and organ-on-chip technology at RWTH Aachen University. Her work focuses on the development of vascularized airway models, endothelialized gas-exchange membranes, and biohybrid constructs using advanced biofabrication techniques such as melt-electrowriting and fibrin–collagen hydrogels. She integrates microfluidics and cellular engineering to replicate complex respiratory environments for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. With over 770 citations, an h-index of 16, and numerous peer-reviewed publications, she is recognized internationally for her contributions to regenerative medicine. Prof. Thiebes recently received the Robert Brown Early Career Investigator Award from TERMIS-EU, underscoring her impact in the field. Her expertise offers PhD students valuable insights into translating biomaterials into clinically relevant models.

Prof. Cecile Echalier
Affiliation: Université de Montpellier (France)

Prof. Cécile Échalier is an assistant professor at the Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Université de Montpellier, whose research centers on hybrid biomaterials and chemical biology. She earned her PhD with award-winning work on peptide–inorganic hydrogels and was granted a prestigious L’Oréal‑UNESCO fellowship. After postdoctoral positions at EMBL Heidelberg and Imperial College London (Scientia Fellow), she developed “islets-on-chip” platforms with integrated biosensors via a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie fellowship. Her team pioneered biocompatible sol–gel crosslinking methods and produced the first sol–gel “inks” for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting. Prof. Échalier’s current projects aim to design biomaterials that emulate native tissue complexity using novel crosslinking chemistries and 3D printing. She contributes to the EU-funded Nanoremedi network on vascular grafts, stem cell therapies, and implant integration. With over 39 publications, 6,000+ reads and over 570 citations, she offers PhD researchers critical insights into biomimetic materials, scalable biomanufacturing, and translational healthcare applications.

Prof. Aleksandr Ovsianikov
Affiliation: TU Wien (Austria)

Prof. Aleksandr Ovsianikov is a globally renowned leader in 3D printing and biofabrication at TU Wien, heading the Additive Manufacturing Technologies team and the 3D Printing & Biofabrication research group. With a strong foundation in laser physics and femtosecond-multiphoton polymerization, he has authored over 90 peer-reviewed articles and co-edited seminal textbooks including 3D Printing and Biofabrication (Springer) and Multiphoton Lithography: Techniques, Materials, and Applications . He has led two European Research Council (ERC) grants (Starting Grant in 2012 and Consolidator Grant in 2017), pioneering high-resolution, biomimetic scaffold fabrication via multiphoton lithography and laser-based bioprinting for organ-on-chip models. As co-founder of UpNano GmbH and board member of the International Society for Biofabrication, he bridges cutting-edge research with commercialization. Dr. Ovsianikov’s projects demonstrate advanced microfabrication of cell-laden hydrogels, nanostructured biomaterials, and integration of bioprinting with microfluidics.

Abstract

This two-day workshop will bring together international experts, clinicians, and PhD students to present and discuss advances in biomaterials and tissue engineering. The event includes lectures, clinical applications, and a project writing session. The second day features presentations by early-stage researchers. Participants will gain insights into translational research, collaboration strategies, and communication within the biomedical field.

Objectives

-  Introduce PhD researchers to state-of-the-art developments in biomaterials and tissue engineering

-  Offer insight into the practical translation of academic research through clinical applications and spin-offs

-  Strengthen communication and collaboration skills by engaging with an international scientific audience

-  Promote project writing skills through a guided session by an EU project team

-  Encourage presentation and peer-review skills through the PhD student-led session

-  Foster international networking and academic exchange

Dates and venue

04 + 05 September 2025
Auditorium 8 Campus Ledeganck

Programme

Day-to-Day Programme: (subject to change)
Day 1:  Campus Ledeganck, Aud 8

• 9h - 10h30 : Session 1 - International Speakers
• 10h45 - 12h05 : Session 2 - Application & Translation
• 12h05 - 13h30 : Lunch (included) & Networking
• 13h30 - 15h20 : Session 3 - International Speakers
• 15h35 - 17h : Session 4 - Writing Workshop

Day 2:  Campus Sterre, S4, Leslokaal 0.1

• 9h - 9h30 : Lab Tour (optional, but registration mandatory)
• 9h30 - 10h45 : Session 5 - PhD Pitches
• 11h - 12h : Session 6 - Science Communication Workshop 
• 12h - 13h : Lunch (included) & Networking

Registration

• Follow this link for the registration.
• Cancellation of your registration can only be performed by sending an email to doctoralschools@ugent.be.

• The no show policy applies.

Registration fee

Free of charge for Doctoral School members.

Number of participants

Maximum 85

Language

English

Training method

• Lectures by invited international experts (4h15)
• Clinical translation session with practitioners and industry (1h05)
• Guided project writing session by EU team (1h10)
• Oral presentations by PhD students (2h00)
• Discussion and Q&A (various, informal throughout)

Evaluation method

-  100% attendance (checked via registration)

-  Active participation during discussions and Q&A

-  For student presenters: participation in peer-feedback

After successful participation, the Doctoral School Office will add this course to your curriculum of the Doctoral Training Programme in Oasis. Please note that this can take up to one to two months after completion of the course.