Abstract

Kevin is the Director of the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform Hub for Acellular Technologies. His talk will review how materials and engineering advances are allowing complex human tissues to be regenerated. The subject will encompass new polymer materials, 3D printing and through to the challenges of clinical and commercial translation of these complex future medical products.

Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Head of School of Pharmacy, The University of Nottingham, Director of the Wolfson Centre for Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Modelling (STEM) During the development of the human embryo and successful spontaneous tissue repair, the 3D architecture around cells is highly organised and controlled. This architecture combines gradients of signalling molecules, surface chemistry, local mechanical properties and direct contacts between populations of cells. We are developing new tools that allow such architectures to be recreated in the laboratory. This presentation will include examples of 3D cell patterning, self assembly of materials and protein delivery systems that have been applied to enhance the study of embryo development and to enhance tissue regeneration.