As part of our mission to educate the public on matters related to tissue engineering, 3D printing, and regenerative tissue, the CECT has hosted multiple past events. Below, you will find summaries of those events and the topics covered.
Courses
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM): June 6 - 11, 2022
The ninth annual Regenerative Medicine Essential Course will again be held in collaboration with the RMF and World Stem Cell Summit. This immersive course is designed for clinicians, researchers, technicians, students, industry, investors, government representatives, patient advocates, and organizations from national and international communities. All will join in a unique, virtually formatted, global ecosystem. The RME/RMF 2022 combined meeting is provided via a one-week virtual immersion single and multi-track format, bringing together WFIRM's prominent, world-class experts and distinguished external national and international world experts as expertly facilitated by our RMF partner. Organized as an educational and scientific meeting, the purpose is to promote the participation and education of all stakeholders, providing attendees who join from across the globe, with a firm foundation coupled with the "roadmap forward" for this exciting field.
Rice University: August 10 - 13, 2022
Twenty-ninth annual short course on advances in the science and technology of tissue engineering with leading scientists from Rice University, the Texas Medical Center, industry, and other institutions. The course, including a virtual bioprinting workshop and demonstrations, will survey the latest knowledge and technologies in the world of patient-specific therapeutics, from cellular treatments to 3D printing and biofabrication of complex tissues.
Courses
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), June 14 - 18, 2021
The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) and the Regenerative Medicine Foundation (RMF) have announced that the 16th World Stem Cell Summit will be held in conjunction with the 8th annual Regenerative Medicine Essentials Course, uniquely formatted this year for virtual attendance.
From the science behind pioneering discoveries and clinical applications, to regulatory and manufacturing challenges, the Summit and the Course will provide a comprehensive look at progress to date, current challenges, and new "hot" topics as well as future applications. The World Stem Cell Summit is the educational and networking focal point for scientists, business leaders, regulators, policy-makers, patient advocates, economic development officers, experts in law and ethics, and visionary gurus from around the world since 2003. The Regenerative Medicine Essentials Course, taught by prominent experts, features hands-on workshops and foundational instruction into the field of regenerative medicine, with examination on the structure and function of damaged tissues and organs.
Multi-Site Undergraduate Summer Research Exchange Program
Hosted by CECT sites: June 1 - August 13, 2021
For Summer 2021, CECT will be hosting undergraduate students at each site - University of Maryland, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), and Rice University over a 10-week period for an intensive research experience in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. During this time, students will be able to take advantage of world-class facilities at each locations and have the unparalleled opportunity to be mentored by leaders in this field: Dr. John Fisher (University of Maryland), Dr. James Yoo and Sang Jin Lee (WFIRM), and Dr. Antonios Mikos (Rice University). This exchange-based program will enable students to participate in laboratory research outside their home institution and gain a broader academic and research experience. The programs at University of Maryland and WFIRM will be held in conjection with their respectiuve REU programs. Additional details regarding the summer program and application information are given below.
Project Description:
Fabrication of complex tissues is an important facet of regenerative medicine with enormous therapeutic potential, such as repair of damaged tissues or replacement of whole organs. Next-generation clinical therapies demand engineering strategies that successfully capture tissue complexity and heterogeneity on both the micro and macro scale. The Center for Engineering Complex Tissues (CECT) is an NIH/NIBIB Biomedical Technology Resource Center that aims to address this challenge by applying three-dimensional (3D) printing strategies to fabricate novel tissue engineered constructs with transplantation capabilities. CECT brings together research leaders at the University of Maryland, Rice University, and Wake Forest University, known for their strong bioengineering and biofabrication expertise, state-of-the-art resources, and translational experience. Students will work on Center-affiliated collaboration projects, including the design and fabrication of bioreactors, characterization of 3D printing bioinks, exploring vascularized tissue constructs, or leveraging unique 3D printing capabilities for developing tissue engineered scaffolds. Student efforts will be geared towards advancing the center agenda and establishing the ground work for coordinated efforts in tissue engineering and 3D printing towards clinically applicable constructs.
Workshops
Hosted by University of Maryland, College Park: November 13: 12pm - 4 pm EST
The Center for Engineering Complex Tissues, in partnership with the Fischell Department of Bioengineering at the University of Maryland, hosted its Annual 3D Printing and Biofabrication Workshop. We covered the basics of 3D printing aimed at introducing a beginner to the essential concepts of biofabrication as well as introduced attendees to more advanced applications of 3D printing in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. We invited guest speakers from industry and academia to provide unique perspectives on the applications of 3D printing and bioprinting.
Due to COVID-19 health concerns, the workshop was moved to a virtual format. This means we invited anyone who was interested in biofabrication to attend this free web-based workshop. All researchers, students, faculty, and staff members of your institutions were invited to attend. However, we were limited to a maximum number of 250 attendees, so registration was limited.
The workshop was hosted on November 13, 2020 from 12pm - 4pm EST via Zoom Meeting.
Hosted by Biomaterials Lab at Rice University: April 20 from 10am - 2pm EST
In partnership with the Center for Engineering Complex Tissues, the Biomaterials Lab at Rice University hosted its 3rd Annual Biofabrication Workshop. We covered a wide array of topics from tissue-specific bioprinting to custom bioreactor fabrication.
Due to COVID-19 health concerns, the workshop was moved to a virtual format. This means we invited anyone who was interested in biofabrication to attend this free web-based workshop. All researchers, students, faculty, and staff members were invited to attend. However, we were limited to a maximum number of 250 attendees, so registration was limited.
The workshop was hosted on April 20, 2020 from 10am-2pm EST / 9am-1pm CST via GoToMeeting.
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Programs
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine: June 3 - Aug 9, 2019
During the 10-week program, students conducted an individually tailored research project under the supervision of WFIRM faculty and staff. Projects were focused on several areas including biomaterials, cell and molecular biology, physiology, biomedical engineering, controlled release systems, biochemistry, cell and gene therapy, and tissue engineering. This program offered undergraduate students an opportunity to experience firsthand and engage in research at the interface of engineering and biology in challenging areas of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
University of Maryland, College Park: June 3 - August 9, 2019
During the 10-week summer program, undergraduate students pursued independent research to advance fundamental science in cellular and tissue engineering while developing new technologies, including 3D printing and organ-on-a-chip microsystems. Adding to the academic and professional gains available to participants was the unique opportunity to learn the importance of regulatory science in biomedical innovation.
Leveraging a partnership between the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this REU program provided students with the opportunity to gain new perspectives on the connection between biomedical research and the health and safety of patients.
Courses
Wake Forest School of Medicine: June 10 - 14, 2019
This comprehensive one-week course covered nine major Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine-based themes combining lectures, demonstrations, and tours. It also included three half-day hands-on workshops focused on 3D Printing Technologies, Decellularization of Tissues and Organs, and an Intro to Translation workshop incorporating cGMP/GTP cell processing. Taught by industry, clinical, and academic experts, attendees gained a broad perspective and foundation in this exciting field.
Workshops
BioE 3D Bioprinting Workshop
University of Maryland, College Park: June 7, 2019
The 3D Bioprinting Workshop was a day of lectures, discussions, and lab tours about the 3D printers that the Center for Engineering Complex Tissues has available. It took place on Friday, June 7, 2019 at the University of Maryland in the Bioengineering Department at A. James Clark Hall. Course material included an introduction to Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), the 3D Printing Process, and example case studies. The half-day course consisted of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and lab tours.
Biofabrication Workshop
Rice University: Feb 27, 2019
This one-day course consisted of lectures, discussions, and hands-on training using devices such as the EnvisionTEC Bioplotter and the Cell Ink BioX. Users learned the basics of bioprinting along with more advanced strategies to design and print custom materials for a variety of applications. Course material included advanced topics in bioprinting and biofabrication such as printing with cellular components, assessing printability of custom materials, design considerations for 3D printing, and presurgical planning with 3D printing. We discussed techniques including bioprinting, melt-electrospinning writing, fusion deposition modeling, and more. Attendees had the opportunity to bring their own biomaterial and work with experts to create a printing paradigm with it.
Courses
Advances in Tissue Engineering Short Course
Rice University: August 8 - 11, 2018
This short course included a hands-on bioprinting workshop and surveyed the latest knowledge and technologies in the world of patient-specific therapeutics, from cellular treatments to 3D printing and biofabrication of complex tissues. More information can be found here.
Regenerative Medicine Essentials Summer Course
Wake Forest School of Medicine: June 4 - 8, 2018
This comprehensive one-week course covered nine major Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine-based themes combining lectures, demonstrations, and tours. It also included three one-half day hands-on workshops focused on 3D Printing Technologies, Decellularization of Tissues and Organs and an Intro to Translation workshop incorporating cGMP/GTP cell processing. Taught by industry, clinical, and academic experts, attendees gain a broad perspective and foundation in this exciting field.
Workshops
3D Bioprinting Workshop
University of Maryland, College Park: June 8, 2018
This workshop included lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and lab tours of the 3D printers that the Center of Engineering Complex tissues has available.
Biofabrication Workshop
Rice University: February 26, 2018
The one-day course consisted of lectures, discussions, and hands-on training using devices such as the EnvisionTEC Bioplotter and the Cell Ink BioX. Users learned the basics of bioprinting along with more advanced strategies to design and print custom materials for a variety of applications.
Rice Biomaterials Workshop 2018 Flier.pdf.
Undergraduate Research
2018 Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine REU
Wake Forest School of Medicine: May 31 - August 8, 2018
The 2018 REU program at WFIRM was held from May 31st to August 8th, 2018. During the 10-week program, students accepted into the program conducted an individually tailored research project under the supervision of WFIRM faculty and staff. The students’ multi-disciplinary mentored research experiences were supplemented with additional program elements and education on the research process, hands-on instrumentation, workshops on bioethics, responsible conduct of research, effective oral and written communication, professional development, and career opportunities topics. Scholars also attended the annual RME 2018 course and special “hot” topics seminars with a focus on tissue engineering and biofabrication as well as participated in a number of social activities with the WFIRM team. All students presented their research findings over the summer and in oral and poster format at a final research day event. Two REU students participated in CECT research during summer 2018. One of the 2018 undergraduate researchers engaged in CECT research abstract was accepted for poster presentation (Joseph Grech) at the South Eastern Medical Scientist Symposium, to be held November 10-11, 2018 in Nashville, TN. One additional CECT student (Mary Elizondo) submitted an abstract for the October 2018 deadline to present at the Annual Society for Biomaterial Conference, to be held April 3-6, 2019 in Seattle, WA.
The CECT 2018 Summer Scholars at WFIRM and their research titles are as below:
Joseph Grech
Michigan State University, Human Biology, Junior
Faculty Mentors: James Yoo, MD, PhD and Sang Jin Lee, PhD
“Optimization of dECM Based Bioink for 3D Bioprinting of Renal Construct”
Maryam Eugenia Elizondo
Rice University, Bioengineering, Junior
Faculty Mentors: James Yoo, MD, PhD and Sang Jin Lee, PhD
“Rheological Characterization of Bioinks for Extrusion 3D Printing”
University of Maryland, College Park: June 4 - Aug 10, 2018
During the 10-week summer program, undergraduate students pursued independent research to advance fundamental science in cellular and tissue engineering while developing new technologies, including 3D printing and organ-on-a-chip microsystems. Adding to the academic and professional gains available to participants was the unique opportunity to learn the importance of regulatory science in biomedical innovation.
Leveraging a partnership between the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this REU program provided students with the opportunity to gain new perspectives on the connection between biomedical research and the health and safety of patients.
Courses
Regenerative Medicine Essentials Summer Course
Wake Forest School of Medicine: June 5 - 9, 2017
RME 2017was held June 5-9, 2017 at the new WF Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education. The 1-week course and three, Into the Lab hands-on workshops taught by 28 prominent experts, provided attendees a firm foundation. From the science behind groundbreaking discoveries and clinical applications to regulatory and manufacturing challenges, RME2017 provided a comprehensive look at progress to date, approaches to overcome technical challenges, current and future applications. PIs from the TR&Ds as well as CP and SP collaborators presented at the course and assisted in delivering the hands-on workshops. Graduate and undergraduate students participating in the CECT also attended 2017 Into the Lab workshops focused on approaches and technologies associated with the development of complex engineered tissues and biofabrication strategies to include: 1) 3D Bioprinting Strategies in TERM; 2) Perfusion
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs)
2017 Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine REU
Wake Forest School of Medicine: May 30 - August 4, 2017
The 2017 REU program at WFRIM was held from May 30th to August 4th, 2017. During the 10-week program, students accepted into the program conducted an individually tailored research project under the supervision of WFIRM faculty and staff. The students’ multi-disciplinary mentored research experiences were supplemented with additional program elements and education on the research process, hands-on instrumentation, workshops on bioethics, responsible conduct of research, effective oral and written communication, professional development, and career opportunities topics. Scholars also attended the annual RME 2017 course and special “hot” topics seminars with a focus on tissue engineering and biofabrication as well as participated in a number of social activities with the WFIRM team. All students presented their research findings over the summer and in oral and poster format at a final research day event. Two of the 2017 CECT undergraduate researchers’ abstracts were accepted for poster presentations at TERMIS-AM 2017, held December 3-6, 2017 in Charlotte, NC. Margaret vanSchaayk was also chosen to present at the 22nd Annual Posters on the Hill competition in Washington, D.C. This popular event gives students the opportunity to showcase their research for congressional members, meet their representatives, and learn about advocacy for undergraduate research. vanSchyaak's poster was titled "Effects of Bioactive Molecules on Skeletal Muscle Development in 3D Bioprinted Muscle Constructs."
The CECT 2017 Summer Scholars at WFIRM and their research titles are as below:
Amelia Hurley-Novatny
University of Maryland - College Park, Bioengineering, Sophomore
Faculty Mentors: James Yoo, MD, PhD and Sang Jin Lee, PhD
“Co-culture differentiation of placental derived stem cells towards both osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages”
Nickolas Mundo
Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Mechanical Engineering, Junior
Faculty Mentors: James Yoo, MD, PhD and Sang Jin Lee, PhD
“Optimization of bioinks for 3D bioprinting of kidney constructs using gelatin methacrylate and fibrinogen”
Margaret van Schaayk
Wake Forest University, Biology, Senior
Faculty Mentors: Anthony Atala, MD, James Yoo, MD, PhD and Sang Jin Lee, PhD
“Effects of bioactive molecules on skeletal muscle development in 3D bioprinted muscle constructs”