Promise of regenerative medicine
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Doors Open 18:30 | Event 19:00 - 21:30
STAN Maastricht
Sphinxcour 8 6211 XZ Maastricht
Illuminating the black box of embryo implantation
Continuation of the human species relies on successful pregnancies. Although this sounds trivial, infertility is on the rise and becoming a global health issue. Currently, in the Netherlands almost 1 out of 7 couples rely on assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to become pregnant. In order for a pregnancy to be successful, the embryo must implant into the uterus wall and form the placenta, which will ensure its needs for nutrients, oxygen, and waste removal. What can cause failure of this essential step? New stem cell-based models may be able to shine light on this process that is normally hidden from view and restricted for experimentation.
Erik Vrij
Researcher
GROW | Maastricht University
Plastic and cells to fill bone holes
Mostly broken bones heal good. However, sometimes they don’t and this is painful and people cannot use the bone (e.g. cannot walk, use their arm). Typically, this happens with large gaps that cannot be filled with own bone from the pelvis. We have developed a method to use degradable plastic to 3D print a bone and fill it with stem cells to heal the bone. Thus, technology and biology is combined to prevent amputation.
Martijn van Griensven
Professor
Institute MERLN | Maastricht University
