1. Prof. Sandra Van Vlierberghe, PhD Brussels Photonics Free University Brussels, Belgium
Expertise in:
Synthesis and characterization of synthetic polymers including polyesters based on lactide, glycolide, mandelide, ε-caprolactone; PET and PET derivatives; polyethers (PEG, PPG, urethane-based)
Functionalization and characterization of biopolymers including gelatin, collagen, alginate, agarose, carrageenan, chondroitin sulphate, hyaluronic acid with (photo-)crosslinkable moieties
Polymer processing using (co-extrusion) electrospinning (collaboration with PBM, UGent)
Polymer processing using two-photon polymerization, hot embossing, diamond tooling
Polymer processing using 3D printing (BioScaffolder 3.1), in the presence of living cells
Structure characterization using SEM-EDX, 3D coordinate measurement machine, optical microscopy, mechanical testing, atomic force microscopy

2. Expected benefits and activities during participation in BIONECA:
Share experience with groups who work on biomaterial development, processing and imaging
Would like to provide biomaterials for testing to groups who are experienced in cell-biomaterial interactions and imaging
Would like to develop biomaterials based on input from partners for neuronal and cardiovascular applications
Would like to gain knowledge on modeling of biomaterials in line with targeted application
Would like to gather innovative combination of partners for new projects` applications
Would like to exchange PhD students with groups working on cell-biomaterial interactions for neuronal and cardiovascular applications
Foreseen maximum contribution: in WG1