Prometheus, the KU leuven R&D division of skeletal tissue engineering, is an interdisciplinary, translational, research platform focusing on skeletal tissue engineering and technology transfer. Members include the Divisions of Rheumatology, Orthopedics, Biomechanics, Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Prosthetic Dentistry, Bioresponses (Bioscience Engineering) and the Department of Materials Engineering (all KU Leuven), as well as the Biomechanics Research Unit (University of Liège). Consisting of 50+ PhD students, postdocs, PIs, technical staff and clinical partners, Prometheus is organized across 3 integrated programs: fundamental science related to stem cells and 3D tissue creation; translation of scientific findings into a technology platform for safe, high-quality manufacturing processes; creation of blue prints for the clinical implementation of Skeletal TE therapies. Divided into several research tracks, coordinated by experts in the field, each program is supported by cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Contact persons:
Ioannis Papantoniou
Frank P Luyten
Liesbet Geris
Rodrigo Furtado Madeiro
Maastricht University, The Netherlands
MERLN – Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine
The MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine is located at Maastricht University (the Netherlands). The institute strives to maintain a leading position in the field of biomedical engineering by combining creative research with training an interdisciplinary generation of scientists. MERLN’s activities operate at the interface of biology and engineering and aim to maximise outreach at the level of public involvement, development, and the commercialisation of research. MERLN’s vision is based on sharing knowledge, infrastructure, and ambition.
The Fraunhofer IPT combines knowledge and experience from all areas of production technology. Located in Aachen, we offer customers and partners applied research and development for networked, adaptive production. We do not only understand production in its individual steps, but also consider the entirety of the processes and the and the interconnections among various elements of the process chain. Our range of services is oriented towards the current challenges of specific industries, technologies and product areas such as tool and mould making, the optical industry, turbomachinery manufacturing, life sciences engineer-ing and lightweight production technology.
Currently about 460 employees work at the Fraunhofer IPT on an area of 9000 m². About 5000 m² of this are used as laboratories and machine shop floors.
Through the Fraunhofer Center for Manufacturing Innovation CMI in Boston, USA, we also offer our cus-tomers sustainable technology transfer between European and American industry
In the “Life Sciences Engineering” business area, the Fraunhofer IPT researches and develops pioneering technologies for the entire range of life sciences from the pharmaceutical industry and biotechnology to medical technology. As a production engineering research institute, we have many years of in-house experi-ence in production processes, manufacturing techniques, metrological systems, process automation, tech-nology and quality management. We have been applying this expertise effectively and profitably in the life sciences sector.
We assemble interdisciplinary teams comprising engineering, biology and medical experts, who develop customized concepts and technical solutions for the entire process of product development and support our customers through the entire process, from the very beginning of the preliminary research stage through market orientation and ultimately to certification. Our well established network provides us with access to the know-how already acquired by additional scientific facilities in Germany and in the USA: We have par-ticularly close links with the WZL Machine Tool Laboratory of the RWTH Aachen, the Fraunhofer Center for Manufacturing Innovation CMI in Boston and Boston University.
The Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) was founded in 1983. It is one of the largest research research centers in Greece with well-organized facilities, highly qualified personnel and a reputation as a top-level research institution worldwide. The Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT) was established in 1984, as an Independent Academic Institute. During its operation ICE-HT has developed into a world-leading centre for the advancement of high quality scientific knowledge in the fields of chemical engineering sciences. In addition to fundamental research, the Institute currently conducts applied and technological research in a great variety of fields and provides specialized services to industry. ICE-HT has participated in numerous RTD projects in cooperation with industrial enterprises, universities and research centers from Greece, as well as from other EU-member countries, USA, Japan, etc. The Institute has successfully obtained significant funding from national and EU competitive R&D programs, or directly from industry.
Contact persons
Dr. Ioannis Papantoniou, Principal Investigator (ipapantoniou [at] iceht.forth.gr)
Dr. Maria Klapa, Principal Researcher (mklapa [at] iceht.forth.gr)
Dr. Vassilis Burganos, Institute Director (vbur [at] iceht.forth.gr)
Prof. Moschonas, Professor (n_moschonas [at] med.upatras.gr)
Initially developed as a spin-off from the INSERM and Bordeaux University, Poietis is an innovative medtech company, whose mission is to support Researchers and Physicians in the emergence of personalized medicine, based on Bioprinting innovative solutions.
On the basis of its expertise in bioprinting technologies and in particular high resolution laser bioprinting, Poietis has developed the multimodal bioprinting platform NGB (« Next Generation Bioprinting ») to give tissue engineers and researchers greater versatility in their R&D in cell biology due to extremely high cellular resolution, high cellular viability and automation. Besides the NGB-R commercial bioprinter dedicated to R&D, Poietis is developing the NGB-C system for clinical applications. NGB-C will meet the requirements of translational research and challenges of industrial manufacturing of implantable tissues.
Contact persons
Dr. Fabien Guillemot, President (fabien.guillemot [at] poietis.com)
Dr. Bertrand Viellerobe, CTO (bertrand.viellerobe [at] poietis.com)
Mr. Bruno Brisson, CBO (bruno.brisson [at] poietis.com)
STEMCELL Technologies supports life sciences research with more than 2,500 specialized cell culture media, cell separation technologies, instruments, accessory products, and scientific services that are used by scientists performing stem cell, immunology, cancer, regenerative medicine, and cellular therapy research globally. Driven by a love of science and a passion for quality, STEMCELL is a company of Scientists helping Scientists.
