Organisation profile
Introduction / mission
The Biomaterial Engineering and Biofabrication (BEB) laboratory is a multidisciplinary facility within the Regenerative Engineering & Materials cluster at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, TU/e. BEB’s mission is to invent, model and develop novel biomaterial compositions and (bio)manufacturing processes to engineer predictive in vitro models and implantable functional biomaterials and tissues. The laboratory serves as a breeding ground for research, education, and translation in the field of biomaterial engineering and biofabrication.
Highlighted phrase
Our goal is to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of life-disabling and life-threatening diseases, thereby addressing key societal challenges in healthcare
Organisation profile
Biomaterials-by-design
The design and manufacturing space for biomaterials and tissues is vast, yet current approaches often rely on trial-and-error methods, rigid line-by-line execution in manufacturing programming languages, and fail to account for process constraints. To overcome these challenges, we integrate computational multi-scale modeling with a manufacturing-specific programming language tailored to our in-house additive manufacturing processes. This enables us to engineer advanced functional materials and devices while ensuring rapid, scalable, and reproducible fabrication.
Pioneering Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
Explore our technologies that drive precision, scalability, and autonomous manufacturing. We pioneer multiscale additive manufacturing techniques, focusing primarily on extrusion-based, electrowriting, and volumetric light-based processes. Additionally, to improve manufacturing scalability and autonomy, while gaining deeper insights into biomaterial structure and properties across multiple length and time scales, we integrate in-situ monitoring and advanced materials analysis techniques. These include spectroscopy and high-resolution microscopy, combined with machine learning (ML) and deep learning methods
Bioprinting: where biology and biomaterials fuse
Living tissues exhibit complex 3D structures and multicellular compositions, making them challenging to replicate in tissue-engineered devices. To address this, we innovate and develop our own bioinks, resins, and biofabrication technologies to recreate biologically relevant environments. We evaluate these bioinks, resins, and bioprinting technologies with various cell sources and organoids, aiming to advance predictive in vitro models and facilitate clinical translation.
Creating value through knowledge transfer
We are committed to translating research into real-world applications and contributing to Eindhoven's development as an international biomaterials cluster. Through strategic and unique collaborations with Brainport industries and strategic partners such as Smart Biomaterials Consortium, High-Tech Campus Eindhoven, De Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij , Fontys University of Applied Sciences, and the Helmond Biotech Materials Hub within the Brainport region, we bridge the gap between fundamental research and tangible applications. Additionally, we are dedicated to educating the next generation of students in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, ensuring continued growth and innovation in these critical fields. Our vision extends beyond the laboratory, aiming to create meaningful solutions that will reshape healthcare and beyond.
Fingerprint
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
-
Gabriele Addario
- Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterial Engineering & Biofabrication - Education/Research Officer
Person: OBP : Supportive and management staff
-
Essa A.A. Al-Jehani
- Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterial Engineering & Biofabrication - Doctoral Candidate
Person: Prom. : doctoral candidate (PhD)
-
Tess van Alphen
- Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterial Engineering & Biofabrication - Doctoral Candidate
Person: Prom. : doctoral candidate (PhD)
Research output
-
From Fiber Architecture to Functional Attachment: A Clinically Relevant, Mechanically Tunable Cardiac Patch
Braig, J., Kent, R., Goienetxe, A. G., Laita, N., Wu, M., Martínez, M. Á., Serra, M., Janssens, K., Urtaza, U., Larequi, E., Anaut-Lusar, I., Gillijns, H., Algoet, M., van Kerkhof, B., van der Knaap, M., Cedillo-Servin, G., Castilho, M., van Mil, A., Sluijter, J. P. G. & Malda, J. & 12 others, , 20 Mar 2026, In: Advanced Materials. 38, 17, 22 p., e15863.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Downloads (Pure) -
Magneto- and Thermoresponsive Systems: A Review of Their Application in Cancer Theranostics
Gonçalves, A., Borges, J. P., Castilho, M. & Soares, P. I. P. (Corresponding author), 10 Apr 2026, In: Advanced Healthcare Materials. 15, 14, 39 p., e02825.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
-
Culture system for longitudinal monitoring of bone dynamics ex vivo
Cramer, E. E. A., Hermsen, K. C. J., Kock, L. M., Ito, K. & Hofmann, S. (Corresponding author), Jan 2025, In: Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 122, 1, p. 53-68 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)76 Downloads (Pure)
Equipment
-
Biomaterials Design & Processing Lab
Castilho, M. (Manager), Maenhout-van Haag, M. (Operator) & Gorginkaraji, Z. (Education/research technician)
Biomedical EngineeringFacility/equipment: Research lab
Prizes
-
Jean Leray Award
Castilho, M. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Other › Career, activity or publication related prizes (lifetime, best paper, poster etc.) › Scientific
Courses
-
Introduction to regenerative medicine and technology
Castilho, M. & van Donkelaar, C. C. 1/09/12 → 31/08/26
Course
Press/Media
-
Studies from University of Utrecht Have Provided New Information about Tissue Engineering (Composite Graded Melt Electrowritten Scaffolds for Regeneration of the Periodontal Ligament-to-bone Interface)
7/04/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
-
Reports from University Medical Center Utrecht Advance Knowledge in Tissue Engineering (Covalent Protein Immobilization On 3d-printed Microfiber Meshes for Guided Cartilage Regeneration)
11/01/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
-
Student theses
-
Creating an in vitro fetal cardiac model using Xolography
van Hoorne, L. A. (Author), Castilho, M. (Supervisor 1) & Stoecker, L. (Supervisor 2), 28 Mar 2024Student thesis: Master
-
Development of a 3D in vitro cardiac model that mimics the in vivo anisotropy of myocardium and allows the study of the cardiac fibroblast mechanosensing pathways
Schilthuis, I. R. (Author), Bouten, C. V. C. (Supervisor 1), Castilho, M. (Supervisor 2) & Jorba Masdéu, I. (Supervisor 2), 29 Feb 2024Student thesis: Master
-
Development of a Bone-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device that Facilitates 3D in vitro Bone Remodeling
Bodelier, E. S. R. (Author), Vis, M. A. M. (Supervisor 1) & Hofmann, S. (Supervisor 2), 13 Dec 2021Student thesis: Master