PRR Project

Summary

The scientific area of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology, and Regenerative Medicine (BNMR) of DBE integrates a set of technologies and tools which have as a common point the controlled interaction, at the micro and nanoscale, of complex constructs with biomolecules, cells and tissues. High impact applications in biotechnology and medicine are the goal, in particular in the development of novel strategies for  biodiagnostics  and  regenerative medicine . This area is organized into four Thematic Areasi)  Biomaterials  are primarily used for medical applications, but they are also used as scaffolds to grow cells in culture, to assay for blood proteins in the clinical laboratory, in processing biomolecules in biotechnology, in diagnostic gene arrays, and for investigational cell-based "biochips."ii)  Nanotechnology  is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications.iii)  Nanobiotechnology  consists of the application of nanotechnology concepts to biological sciences, in lab-on-a-chip systems, novel biosensors, nanoparticles for drug delivery, surface functionalization, etc.iv)  Regenerative Medicine  is focused on the repair, replacement or regeneration of cells, tissues, or organs to restore impaired function resulting from any cause, including congenital defects, disease, trauma and ageing. It uses a combination of several converging technological approaches and moves beyond traditional transplantation and replacement therapies.The BNMR scientific area considers it essential to hire scientifically knowledgeable, technically skilled, and innovative engineers/scientists in these emerging research topics. By attracting new expertise on stem cell culture engineering, on organs-on-a-chip, or on biomaterials with an emphasis on the interface between the biomaterial and the living cells and tissues, the DBE will be better positioned to face current and future challenges of the Biomaterials field, and to sustain IST’s leadership and international recognition in this area.The new faculty hire is expected to emphasize one of the three key areas of stem cell culture engineering, organs-on-a-chip, or biomaterials with an emphasis on the interface between the biomaterial and the living cells and tissues.  More specifically, we are looking at one of the following three profiles: (i) bioreactor design and operation for stem cell expansion; (ii) advanced, integrated organ-on-chip devices for personalized medicine; or (iii) detailed characterization of the interface between biomaterials and the living cell tissues. These topics aim at boosting applications in cellular and gene therapy, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, high-throughput drug screening, toxicological testing, and the development of cellular agriculture. Such interdisciplinary approaches will contribute to the development of advanced biomaterial systems and will be complementary to the existing expertise in the BNMR scientific area and in the DBE, contributing to achieving critical mass in the advanced biomaterials field of research. In addition, this faculty hire will contribute to related course topics offered by DBE at BSc., MSc. and PhD levels in the fields of Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology and Regenerative and Precision Medicine which include, but are not limited to, areas of cell and tissue engineering, organ engineering, bioMEMS and biomaterials.The ideal candidate is expected to establish a nationally and internationally recognized independent research program (evidenced by publications and capture of external funding) that increases the impact and visibility of IST and iBB in the area. She/he should lead/launch/strengthen the BNMR area with a focus on stem cell culture engineering, organs-on-a-chip, or biomaterials with an emphasis on the interface between the biomaterial and the living cells and tissues; complement existing research lines in the DBE and in iBB; create new teaching offerings or enhance existing ones; and teach and work collaboratively on academic courses both at undergraduate and graduate.In line with the policy of the Scientific Council of IST, the DBE and iBB will carry out an extensive search process to obtain evidence of the existence of potential candidates with a profile suitable for filling the position. This scouting process entails actively promoting our search for specific profiles and inviting potential candidates to conduct seminars or interviews at IST.