The REBORN project will host a dedicated symposium at the 34th Annual Conference of the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB 2025), taking place on 7–11 September 2025 at the Lingotto Conference Center in Torino, Italy. The event will gather experts and researchers to discuss how multifunctional biomaterials are tackling major clinical challenges. The symposium will be structured in two sessions, each highlighting Horizon Europe projects that are advancing innovative solutions for patient care.

Part 1: Innovative Solutions for Post-Myocardial Infarction Cardiac Repair: the REBORN and ELR-SCAR Project

A significant proportion of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases is due to myocardial infarction (MI). After MI, the limited regenerative capacity of the heart tissue results in the damaged area being replaced by fibrous tissue, leading to functional alterations that can contribute to heart failure.

Two Horizon Europe projects, funded under the topic “Smart and multifunctional biomaterials for health innovations” (REBORN  and ELR-SCAR), address this clinical issue by exploiting multifunctional biomaterials to support cardiac tissue regeneration and prevent scar tissue formation. The two Project Coordinators will present the concept and main results of these projects.

Moderator: Lisa Bregoli | Tinexta Innovation Hub (REBORN Project)

Monday 8 September, 11:00 – 12:30 | Londra room

Innovative Solutions for Post-Myocardial Infarction Cardiac Repair: The REBORN and ELR-SCAR Projects

Keynote Speakers: 

• Chiara Vitale Brovarone | Politecnico di Torino – Coordinator of the REBORN Project
• Abhay Pandit | CÚRAM, University of Galway – Coordinator of the ELR-SCAR Project

A series of other presentations will follow:

• Multifunctional polymeric films for buccal delivery of peptides
  Speaker: Prof. Line Nielsen | Technical University of Denmark
• A Chemical Hydrogel as a Versatile Biomaterial for the Controlled Release of Peptides and Nanoparticles
• Development and characterization of p(NIPAAm) based thermoresponsive nanofibers for on-demand drug release
• Innovative in situ 4D bioprinting for regeneration of colorectal mucosa and submucosa
  Speaker: Irene Chiesa | Research Center E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, Italy
• Fast-tracking design and discovery of nextgeneration biomaterials with 3D hybrid cellmicroparticle microtissues
• Piezoelectric scaffolds for bioelectricity modulation to enhance nervous tissue regeneration

Part 2: Multifunctional Biomaterials for chronic wound treatment

Chronic wounds are wounds that fail to progress towards healing within 30 days due to various factors, including infections, poor blood circulation, and other local and systemic factors. In developed countries alone, chronic or complex wounds, such as major burns, affect more than 2% of the population, significantly impacting their quality of life.

Two Horizon Europe projects, funded under the topic “Smart and multifunctional biomaterials for health innovations” (FORCE REPAIR and NABIHEAL), address this clinical issue by exploiting multifunctional biomaterials to support wound healing and prevent wound infection. The two Project Coordinators will present the concepts and main results of these projects.

Moderator: Lisa Bregoli | Tinexta Innovation Hub (REBORN Project)

Monday 8 September, 14:00 – 15:30 | Londra room

Multifunctional Biomaterials for chronic wound treatment

Keynote Speakers:

• Damien Dupin | Fundación CIDETEC – Coordinator of the FORCE REPAIR Project
• Nora Ventosa | CIBER/ICMAB-CSIC – Coordinator of the NABIHEAL Project

A series of other presentations will follow:

• Novel Biomaterials to Prevent Dental Periimplant Infections: Introducing the NOMAD Project
  Speaker:  Merve Kübra Aktan | Postdoctoral Researcher, KU Leuven, Belgium – Project Manager of the NOMAD Project
• Go with the flow: exploring triboelectricity from blood flowing through native arteries
• Grooved microparticles steer the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cell spheroids
• Dynamically Cross-linked Theragenerative Bone Adhesive Hydrogels with Bone Cancer Therapy and Bone Repair Functions
• Finite element modelling of soft multifunctional silk-reinforced alginate composites
• Analytical model for three-layered capacitive pressure sensor

The REBORN project actively engages in clustering and networking activities with other Horizon Europe initiatives funded under the same call. In this context, ELR-SCAR, NABIHEAL, FORCE REPAIR, NOMAD and BUCCAL-PEP will join REBORN in co-organising the symposium at ESB 2025.

Come visit us in the Londra Room!

The REBORN project will have a dedicated space where we will present our ongoing work and the objectives we aim to achieve. Visitors will have the chance to learn more about our research and contribute by answering a short questionnaire — and as a thank you, a small gift will be waiting for you.

We look forward to meeting you!