The ETPN RegMed WG webinars are open to both ETPN members and non-members. By presenting recent advancement of ETPN members in the Regenerative Medicine field, these webinars aim to improve know how exchange, identification of key European experts and a wider networking between ETPN members (e.g. for collaborative projects). It is also intended to keep webinars open for ETPN non-members, particularly for industrial companies, to facilitate cooperation between researchers and enterprises (mainly SMEs).
Prof Matteo Santin is Professor of Tissue Regeneration at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, UK, leader of both the Brighton Studies in Tissue-mimicry and Aided Regeneration (BrightSTAR) group and the Brighton Centre for Regenerative Medicine.
In his presentation, Prof. Santin introduced the lysine-based biomimetic dendrons synthesis as a platform for extracellular matrix analogue. He covered extracellular matrix analogues from their pre-clinical handling to in-vivo applications. A great importance was put on their exploitation. The key conclusions of the webinar are:
- Synthetic Extracellular Matrix Analogues can be achieved by macromolecular design, scaled-up batches and GMP conditions
- Extracellular Matrix Analogues can be exploited as:
- Specialised substrates for cell pre-clinical handling of cells
- More complex clinically-reflective in vitro models including different types of cells and integrated testing the safety/efficacy of drugs and other products in a regenerative niche
- Functionalisation of 3D scaffolds
- Bioink for additive manufacturing adding biofunctionality to a variety of more established polymer