A Landmark Event in Additive Biofabrication

The inaugural Workshop on Additive Biofabrication (WAB2024) was successfully held at IMDEA Materials Institute, Spain in September 2024, bringing together leading experts in biomaterials, regenerative medicine, and additive manufacturing. Over the course of the event, distinguished keynote and invited speakers shared groundbreaking research and insights into the latest advancements in the field. WAB2024 marked a significant milestone in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in biofabrication.

Keynote Speakers

• Prof. Elisabeth Engel set the tone for the workshop with her presentation on "Extracellular Matrices for Regenerative Medicine and Tumour Models". Dr. Elisabeth Engel, professor at the Technical University of Catalonia since 2010, leads the Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies group at IBEC. With a PhD in bone metabolism diseases (2003) and a postdoc in biomaterials, her research focuses on developing customized biodegradable systems for clinical applications in ophthalmology, neurology, skin, tendon, bone, and cardiac tissue. She has published around 80 papers, given numerous invited lectures, and received the Barcelona City Award for technological research.

• Prof. Amir A. Zadpoor captivated the audience with his keynote on "Meta-biomaterials". Dr. Amir Zadpoor is Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Professor and Chair of Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics at TU Delft, where he also directs the Additive Manufacturing Laboratory. He holds another professorial chair at Leiden University Medical Center. His research focuses on advanced machine learning and 3D/4D (bio)printing for designing metamaterials with unique properties, as well as origami- and kirigami-based biomaterials. He also develops biomaterial-based strategies to combat implant-associated infections. Prof. Zadpoor has received multiple prestigious awards, including an ERC grant, and serves on editorial boards and funding review panels.

• Prof. Daniel J. Kelly delivered an insightful keynote on "Biofabrication and Bioprinting Strategies for Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration". Dr. Daniel Kelly is a Professor at Trinity College Dublin and a founding Principal Investigator of the AMBER Centre. He is a former director of the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering (TCBE) and has received prestigious awards, including a Science Foundation Ireland President of Ireland Young Researcher Award, a Fulbright Visiting Scholar grant, and three ERC grants. His research focuses on tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting for musculoskeletal regeneration. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed articles.

Invited Speakers

The workshop also featured a diverse range of invited speakers who provided in-depth discussions on specialized topics:

• Dr. Jennifer Patterson (IMDEA Materials Institute, Spain) presented her research as part of the european BIOMET4D Project and a deep dive into the cytocompatibility of 3D printed magnesium and zinc.

• Assoc. Prof. David Grossin (INP Toulouse, France) discussed materials chemistry, specifically calcium phosphate-based biomaterials for medical applications and their processing via additive manufacturing.

• Assoc. Prof. Marie Lasgorceix (INSA Hauts-de-France, France) shared her expertise on bioceramics, with her knowledge on 3D printing of doped calcium phosphate ceramics for bone tissue engineering.

• Assoc. Prof. Andrés Díaz Lantada (UPM, Spain) presented novel approaches in mechanical engineering, focusing on bioinspired design and manufacturing strategies for next-generation medical implants: trends and challenges.

• Prof. Javier Llorca (IMDEA Materials Institute, Spain) delivered an inspiring talk on 3D printed bioresorbable polymers and polymer composites for cartilage and bone tissue engineering applications

Key Takeaways and Future Outlook

WAB2024 fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas, paving the way for future collaborations in additive biofabrication. The discussions emphasized the need for interdisciplinary approaches to tackle challenges in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and medical device development.

As the workshop concluded, participants expressed enthusiasm for expanding WAB to different regions in Spain and across Europe. With an ever-growing interest in biofabrication, WAB2024 has laid the foundation for future advancements, ensuring that additive manufacturing continues to revolutionize healthcare and biomedical research.

Best Poster Award

🏆 María Dolores Martín-Alonso
Unravelling the interplay of mechanical and degradation performance in laser-powdered Mg Scaffolds for bone regeneration: a multi-technique assessment

🥈 Mafalda S. Santos
Electrospun scaffolds loaded with lyophilized extracellular matrix for periodontal tissue regeneration

Best Talk Award

🏆 Maria Pita-Vilar
3D printed a-TCP and carboxymethyl cellulose scaffolds with enhanced osteogenic and mechanical performance with application in bone tissue engineering

🥈 Yuyao Liu
Bio-functional collagen-based 3D printed poly(glycerol sebacate) scaffold to enhance articular cartilage repair

We welcome sponsorship from companies and organizations looking to showcase their products and services while networking with leading academics and industry professionals in the field. The sponsors for the 2024 edition are listed below.