Our People

TENTACLE is powered by a diverse and dedicated team of students, researchers, engineers, and professionals who contribute their expertise every day. This page highlights the individuals working behind the scenes: their roles, their motivations, and the unique skills they bring to the project.

By sharing their stories, we aim to showcase the collaborative spirit that drives our work forward and makes European research truly impactful.

Edoardo Bilancia is a Bionics Engineer with a foundational background in Computer and Automation Engineering. Currently a PhD researcher, he specializes in the ground-up design, prototyping, and development of novel biomedical devices for in-situ tissue regeneration. His role involves the comprehensive development of both hardware and software architectures for these first-of-their-kind delivery systems. His expertise spans a wide range of technical fields, including multi-technique 3D printing, mechanical fabrication, electronics, coding, and advanced 3D modeling. By integrating engineering innovation with translational medicine, he works in close collaboration with clinical teams to develop bespoke surgical tools for colorectal applications. His research is dedicated to bridging the gap between laboratory development and clinical practice to enhance post-operative recovery and patient quality of life.

Role in TENTACLE:

Responsible for the design, prototyping, and development of the new colonoscopic bioprinter that will allow the in-situ regeneration of the intestinal mucosa and submucosa. He’s involved in the design of both hardware and software for planning the delivery of advanced bioinks developed within the project, and quality control of the regenerated tissues.

Prof. Dr. Sandra Van Vlierberghe is Research Professor at Ghent University within the Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Group. Her research focuses on the synthesis, modification and processing of photoresponsive and photo-crosslinkable polymers, including hydrogels and thermoplasts, serving biomedical applications including tissue engineering, drug delivery and biofabrication. She holds extensive expertise in polymer processing technologies including extrusion- and light-based 3D-printing (two-photon polymerization, digital light processing, volumetric additive manufacturing) as well as electrospinning. She obtained her PhD in Sciences in 2008 and has authored over 335 peer-reviewed publications. Prof. Van Vlierberghe is actively involved in international scientific organizations, serves on several editorial boards, and is co-founder of two spin-off companies in the field of bioinks and regenerative medicine.

Role in TENTACLE:

Prof. Dr. Sandra Van Vlierberghe leads work package 4 which focuses on the design and formulation of advanced biomaterials for the regeneration of colorectal mucosa and submucosa, including the implementation of smart functionalities (carriers and grid structures), the assessment of printability, and comprehensive in vitro evaluation. She is also involved as partner in work packages 1, 2, 6, 9 and 10.

Rui Pedro Silva is currently a PhD student within the Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Group, with an academic background in Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (MSc) and Biochemistry (BSc) from NOVA University of Lisbon. His master’s thesis was carried out at TU/e Eindhoven (the Netherlands), focusing on the synthesis and 3D printing of synthetic polymers.

Role in TENTACLE:

Rui Pedro Silva is involved in work package 4 being responsible for the chemical synthesis and distribution of photocrosslinkable hydrogel precursors and poly(alkylene terephthalates (PAT) to the different project partners. He performs the mechanical characterization of the materials and evaluates their crosslinking efficiency prior to extrusion-based 3D-printing and in vitro testing. He is involved as partner in work packages 1, 2, 6, 9 and 10.

She is an electronic engineer with expertise in biomedical engineering. She started her researcher activity in 1992 at the ISS studying the performance of implantable medical devices in the cardiovascular system (valves, prosthetic vessels, annuloplasty devices, and to implement experimental techniques (Laser Doppler Anemometry, High Speed Cinematography).
International and national scientific collaborations, research projects and scientific publications.
She has consolidated expertise in artificial intelligence applied in healthcare, medical devices regulations, and digital health.
She is actively involved in national and European research programmes (PNRR, Horizon Europe), with a particular focus on AI‑based Medical Device Software (AI‑MDSW), telemedicine, digital twins, 3D bioprinting, and health data interoperability (EHDS, XtEHR)
Her expertise also includes biomaterials, tissue regeneration and additive manufacturing (bioprinting, scaffolding) as well as combined products under (Regulation n. 1394 on Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products). She has in-depth knowledge of medical devices Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2017/745 and Regulation (EU) 2017/746), and of standardization processes. Her research activity has addressed nanotechnologies and their impact on health, with a focus on the use of nanomaterials in medical devices. In the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, polymeric scaffolds, including 3D scaffolds, were investigated for application in regenerative medicine to promote cellular tissue growth.
In the area of digital innovation, with expertise in artificial intelligence and 3D printing (combined and personalized products), she collaborates to the project D34 Health – “Digital Driven Diagnostics, Prognostics and Therapeutics for Sustainable Healthcare” (PNRR_PNC), which involves the development of patient ‘digital twins’ and ‘biological twins of organs or tissues’”. Member of CEN/CENELEC Focus Group on Organ-on-Chip Standardization. Scientific Lead for multiple medical device projects involving the ISS and the Italian Ministry of Health, with a particular focus on clinical investigations of medical devices. She is author of scientific publications in international and national journals. (Carla Daniele (0000-0003-3799-9519) – ORCID)

Role in TENTACLE:

She collaborates to Project TENTACLE “Innovative in situ 4D bioprinting for regeneration of colorectal mucosa and submucosa” contributing to Work Package2 “Clinical, regulatory, and end-users requirements”, with the identification of the relevant European Regulations and International standards.

Research activities – Fluid dynamical and biomechanical characterization of implantable devices (prosthetic heart valves, prosthetic vessels, stents). Hemodynamical characterization of Fontan circulation, i.e., surgical palliation of univentricular heart condition. Numerical simulations on patient-specific models. Optical methods for the assessment of structural integrity of biological valve prostheses. Application of machine/deep learning to topics related to image processing and segmentation (echocardiography and MRI). Experimental characterization of nanoparticle-induced biological effects. Analysis of regulatory requirements of medical devices, including AI-based MDSW. Characterization of the European regulatory framework for Organs-on-chip (see recent publication of the Roadmap issued by the CEN/CENELEC Focus Group on OoC). Scientific responsible in 4 EC-funded research projects (including TENTACLE). (Orcid no.:  0000-0002-9717-2487)

Role in TENTACLE:

The main contribution to the Project TENTACLE relates to Work Package 2 “Clinical, regulatory, and end-users requirements”, with the identification of the relevant European Regulations and International standards. Within WP2, contribution to D2.1 and D2.2.