Keynotes
We are proud to present the following renowned experts as keynote speakers at our conference.
Shaping the Future in Medtech and Micro Implants
Additive microfabrication of metallic thin films opens new horizons for the development of ultra-precise, biocompatible, and scalable implantable devices. In this keynote, Rodrigo Lima de Miranda presents ACQUANDAS’ unique additive manufacturing platform for shape memory and high-performance metal microstructures. The talk will highlight how this technology is enabling the next generation of smart implants and disruptive therapies in medtech and beyond – from concept to clinical integration.
Dr.- Ing. Rodrigo Lima de Miranda
Founder and CEO
ACQUANDAS GmbH | Kiel, Germany | Website
Modeling human brain development and disease in a dish
The human brain is characterized by unique features that are not present in other species including animal models. The development of brain organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells over the last decade has revolutionized our understanding of human brain development at the molecular and cellular level. Simone Mayer is using brain organoids as a tool to model diverse neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders caused by genetic and environmental impacts. Specifically for the rare pediatric disorder pontocerebellar hypoplasia, Simone Mayer has recently established brain region-specific organoid models that recapitulate the pathology in the neocortex and cerebellum. Using this unique tool, she is now investigating disease mechanisms as well as developing therapeutic approaches. Additionally, the group is working on developing organoids as a model system further by enhancing analysis methods as well as through bioengineering approaches.
Prof. Dr. Simone Mayer
Head of group Systemic Cellular Neurobiology
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) | Karlsruhe, Germany | Website
Modeling Mental Disorders in a Dish: From Stem Cells to Functional Insights
Mental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affect millions worldwide, yet the underlying biology remains poorly understood, and treatment options are limited. Recent advances in stem cell technologies now allow us to model key aspects of brain development and function using human neurons generated from patient-derived cells.
Here, I will present our work on understanding how specific genetic factors safeguard neuronal identity and how their disruption may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. Using genetically engineered human neurons and brain models, we explore how changes in gene regulation affect neuronal function and identity.
We combine these models with multielectrode array (MEA) technology to measure network activity at scale, providing insights into how neuronal functions are altered in disease—and how targeted interventions might rescue them.
Together, these approaches offer a powerful platform for uncovering disease mechanisms and developing new therapeutic strategies in psychiatry and neurology.
Dr. Moritz Mall
Group Leader
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research | Heidelberg, Germany
Website
Nanoparticle platform preferentially targeting liver sinusoidal endothelial cells induces immune tolerance.
Ability to produce at nanoscale unlocks a new generation of medical products and previously challenging ways to treat patients. Topas Therapeutics stay on the edge of nanomedical product development with Topas Particles Conjugate or TPC. TPC are particles withing nanoscale range (~25nm) utilizing size to achieve a novel concept to treat autoimmune diseases. The idea is to use TPCs to deliver the antigenic peptide to the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) with the goal to exploit the natural tolerogenic capacity of the LSECs in the favor of patients. Each TPC is a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) coated with low molecular weight polymer conjugated with antigenic peptides. Optimized peptide conjugation allows us to utilize TPCs as a platform for variety of autoimmune disorders by changing the antigenic peptide without significant effect on the other particle properties. TPCs show excellent target specificity, safety and efficacy profile achieved by precise size control, polymer properties and peptide selection. PoC (prove of concept) experiments show the ability to induce immunotolerance in the variety of the in vivo autoimmune disease models.
Dr. Artem Shaposhnykov
Research Scientist
Topas Therapeutics GmbH | Hamburg, Germany | Website