Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research - how can it contribute to fight future pandemics?

David Caballero is a biophysicist with an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Nanoscience from the University of Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain). Currently, he is a research associate at the I3Bs (Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho) and ICVS/3B’s (PT Government Associate Laboratory), working in the field of 3D tumor - and organ-on-chip based models for the study of tumor physiopathology.

Mariana R. Carvalho has a pharmacy background and PhD in the field of Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine and Stem cells at the I3Bs (Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho) and ICVS/3B’s (PT Government Associate Laboratory). She is a postdoctoral fellow working in Tissue Engineered In Vitro Models on a Chip for Cancer Research under the project IET Harvey Research Prize 2017.

Subhas C. Kundu received his PhD in genetics from Banaras Hindu University (India). His area of interest includes biomaterials for 3D cancer modeling and drug screening. Currently, he is an ERA Chair professor at the 3Bs Research Group (I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho and ICVS/3B´s - PT Government Associate Laboratory of University of Minho). There he leads a multidisciplinary team fully dedicated in the development of a new generation of in vitro 3D tumor models for drug screening.

Joaquim M. Oliveira is a biochemist and principal investigator at the I3Bs (Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho) hired under the Prestigious Investigator FCT 2015 Program. Over the years, he has focused his work on the field of tissue engineering, nanomedicine, stem cells, and cells/drug delivery. More recently, he set up a new research line at the ICVS/3B’s (PT Government Associate Laboratory of University of Minho) on 3D in vitro models of disease.

Natália M. Alves owns a PhD in Science and Engineering of Polymers by the School of Engineering of the University of Minho and is an Assistant Professor & Research Staff member at the I3Bs (Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho and ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory of University of Minho). She has been developing activities mainly related with smart and biomimetic polymers and biodegradable polymers from marine origin for biomedical applications.

Rui L. Reis, PhD, DSc, Hon. Causa MD, Hon Causa PhD, FBSE, FTERM, member of NAE, FAIMBE, FEAMBES, is the Director of the 3B’s Research Group (I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho) and of the ICVS/3Bs - PT Government Associate Laboratory of University of Minho). He is also CEO of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Coordinator of the Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, Global Past-President of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society and Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. He is a recognized world expert in the TERM and biomaterials fields.