Pedro Morouço
Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Portugal
Title: Four-dimensional bio printing: stimuli-responsive mechanisms for regenerative medicine
Biography
Biography: Pedro Morouço
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) bio printing emerged has a highly versatile technology able to produce customized structures. The ability to produce those structures in a layer-by- layer fashion allowed a precise control over geometry, morphology and pore interconnectivity. However, those 3D structures may not be the most suitable approach for the clinical requirements. Indeed, four-dimensional (4D) bio printing seems to promise a technology with the ability to induce planned changes at the structures, bridging the gap between the laboratorial constructs and the native human tissues. In summary, 4D bio printing main goal is to develop biological 3D structures, which are suitable to change their properties (e.g. stiffness, shape, volume) when triggered by a pre-defined stimulus (e.g. electricity, ionic force, light, magnetic field, pH and temperature). If on one hand it is important to develop and design new materials and processes, on the other hand making those materials biocompatible is also crucial. The audience will be dared to think further on the applications of this technology. How will the stimulus be provided? By who? And on which conditions, are some of the topics which will be addressed