On the 2nd of June, the MOBILIsE project took part in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of i3S during a special day dedicated to Bioengineering and Regenerative Medicine. The event featured a range of activities open to the public, designed to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds, from secondary school students to participants in senior university programmes. It offered a unique opportunity to discover how scientific research is translated into innovative healthcare solutions. Visitors had the chance to meet researchers, attend live scientific demonstrations, and explore ongoing research projects through direct interaction with the teams behind them.
Researchers from the Molecular Biomaterials group showcased their work through an interactive booth, From Bench to Bedside: Smart Peptide-Based Biomaterials, highlighting how peptide design can be used to create smart hydrogels with potential applications in disease treatment and tissue regeneration, illustrating the journey from fundamental research to real-world healthcare solutions. Visitors also explored various hands-on activities designed by different research groups within the MOBILIsE project:
NanoBiomaterials for Targeted Therapies (nBTT) Group (led by Ana Paula Pêgo): The booth, NanoNeuro: Biomaterials to Regenerate the Brain, showcased a range of in vitro systems used to study neurobiology, along with nanoscale-engineered biomaterials featuring controlled architectures and functionalities designed to promote nervous tissue regeneration.
Neuro & Skeletal Circuits Group (led by Meriem Lamghari): On the Bioengineering in Action: Microfluidics, Molecular Therapy, and Bioprinting, visitors learned about lab-on-a-chip (microfluidic) systems, which replicate key aspects of human physiology to study diseases and evaluate treatments while reducing the need for animal testing. The exhibit also presented siRNA-based molecular therapies for osteoarthritis, using nanoparticles to deliver gene-silencing molecules that target cartilage degeneration. In addition, participants explored 3D bioprinting technologies used to create cartilage-like tissue constructs that support cell growth and hold promise for tissue regeneration.
Nanomedicines & Translational Drug Delivery (NTDD) Group (led by Bruno Sarmento): The Biomimetic 3D Models: Recreating the Human Body in the Laboratory booth demonstrated advanced laboratory models that mimic human organs and tissues under physiologically relevant conditions. Visitors discovered how these biomimetic 3D systems are used to study diseases and evaluate new therapies, with examples including models of the intestine, glioblastoma, melanoma, and colorectal cancer.
BioEngineered Surfaces (BeSurf) Group (led by Cristina Martins): The Functional Biomaterials to Fight Infections booth showcased innovative biomaterial-based strategies for preventing and treating infections through three engaging activities. Visitors explored alternatives to antibiotics with an interactive target-shooting game, learned about targeted therapies for diabetic foot through a quiz and experimental model, and discovered translational biomaterials, including colour-changing shoe insoles and fibre-based wound dressings for infection monitoring.
Bioengineered 3D Microenvironments (BeMic) Group (led by Cristina Barrias): The Vascularized Tissue Engineering booth featured three interactive stations that introduced visitors to cutting-edge approaches for recreating vascularized tissues. Participants explored 3D microphysiological platforms that mimic vascularized microenvironments, took part in a hands-on activity encapsulating microspheres and spheroids within hydrogels, and designed biomimetic matrices that support cell interactions and the diffusion of essential molecules.
Molecular Biomaterials researchers Bárbara Matos, Sara Silva and Rui Pereira presenting their work at From Bench to Bedside: Smart Peptide-Based Biomaterials.