Speakers

His research focuses on the importance of cell-matrix mechanical interactions and mass transport for blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and its role in tissue regeneration. His group is strongly interdisciplinary, combines computational and experimental work, and currently involves 5 PhD students and 5 postdocs. Computational models relate to the use of mesh-based and meshless (particle-based, agent-based) methods and study cell-matrix mechanics and angiogenesis, and its relation to tissue regeneration. Experimental work aims at quantifying cell-matrix mechanics and solute transport, among others by means of optical microscopy imaging and image data analysis. Challenges relate to integrating computational and experimental data to generate novel understanding on cell-matrix mechanics and angiogenesis. Hans Van Oosterwyck has been a Council Member of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB) since 2006. He has been the President of the ESB between 2012-2014.

ABSTRACT TITLE
“Quantifying cellular forces during endothelial cell migration and vascular invasion”
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from the existing vasculature, is a process that is fundamental to tissue and organ development, growth, repair and disease. Numerous studies have focused on the biochemical regulation of angiogenesis. In contrast, studies that target the mechanical regulation of angiogenesis are rare. In our group, we develop experimental and computational tools to quantify cell-matrix mechanical interactions and to investigate their importance for angiogenesis, both at the single cell scale as well as multicellular scale of an invading angiogenic sprout.

In vitro model of single endothelial cell adhesion and migration
Endothelial cells were cultured on soft polyacrylamide hydrogels of different stiffness values (1.4, 2.7, and 4.5kPa) and coated with different adhesion proteins (fibronectin or collagen). Cellular tractions were quantified by means of Traction Force Microscopy (TFM). Two spatiotemporal analysis methods were implemented and applied to the TFM data. A first analysis zooms into the acquired traction maps and define subsets of tractions associated with a local single peak of maximal traction, termed traction foci, in this way analyzing tractions at a subcellular scale close to the length scale of focal adhesion complexes. A second analysis clusters cells based on spatial distribution, magnitude, and temporal evolution of tractions at each time-point into distinct transient states. These states characterize cell mechanical behavior in terms of force polarization and strength.
Traction foci were found to be larger in cells on collagen than on fibronectin, and stronger on stiffer hydrogels. The trends with which tractions increased with stiffness were different for foci and whole-cells, and depended on the adhesion protein used. Differences could be explained from the number of foci and their average strength. On fibronectin, a large number of short-lived weak foci were noticed, together being responsible for up to 30% to the total traction.
Clustering analysis demonstrated that in all conditions, cell traction exertion is polarized, particularly on collagen. By looking into state transitions it was found that cells do not easily change simultaneously their force polarization and strength.

In vitro model of vascular invasion
Displacement fields around an angiogenic sprout that invades a collagen hydrogel were characterized in relation to sprout morphology and dynamics. Collagen displacement calculations were performed by means of a B-spline-based 3D non-rigid image registration process that warps the image of the deformed gel to the image of the relaxed gel. The latter was obtained by disrupting the cell’s actin cytoskeleton. We found that maximum displacements are of the order of 2 to 10 µms and are located at the sprout tips as well as sprout bases. Between bases and tips, traction-induced matrix displacements become negligible, suggesting that single sprouts mechanically behave as a force dipole along the sprout axis. By downregulating actin polymerization with cytochalasin D, displacement magnitudes were reduced, which also influenced sprout dynamics at different length scales: total sprout invasion length and individual sprout dynamics were reduced and sprout protrusions were found to retract.

In silico models of cell-matrix mechanical interactions
Two different models were implemented that capture a mechanically active cell in either a 2D or 3D environment, by using meshless, particle-based methods. A first model describes a three-dimensional cell on a planar substrate, and captures the dynamics of cell protrusion, adhesion and stress fiber formation by means of the discrete element method. A second model makes a 2D representation of a cell embedded in a viscoelastic, degradable extracellular matrix (ECM), modeled by means of smoothed particle hydrodynamics. Protrusions follow from local reduction of cortex stiffness and the application of small protrusive forces, and stabilized through adhesion formation. Curvature-dependent cortex contractility is implemented as well, leading to cellular tractions.
Model sensitivity focused on the effect on traction polarization, morphology, and cellular traction magnitude of parameters accounting for protrusion, adhesion, actomyosin contraction, ECM stiffness, and ECM degradation. Simulations are compared to TFM experimental results. Results among others suggested that long-range deformations, as observed experimentally around invading sprouts, require collagen hydrogel to strain stiffen.

Acknowledgements: FP7/2007-2013)/ERC n° 308223, FWO-Vlaanderen (n° G.0821.13, n° G.0821.13

She is/has been (co-) principal investigator on a number of national and international grants including a European Research Council (ERC) starting grant 2015. Scientific awards include the Ingrid-zu-Solms Prize for natural sciences 2009/2010, the DFG Heinz Maier Leibnitz Prize 2013 and the Emil Salzer Prize 2016.

ABSTRACT
“Combioscopy: A multidisciplinary approach to interventional cancer care”
Key challenges in interventional tumor diagnosis and therapy consist of the detection and discrimination of malignant tissue as well as the monitoring of tissue perfusion. While traditional approaches in the field of computer assisted surgery are typically based on multi-modal data fusion of intra-operative data with „offline“ pre-operative images, our concept focusses on optimizing the information acquired during surgery. Based on recent biophotonics techniques, including multispectral optical and optoacoustic imaging, as well as modern machine learning approaches, our methods allow for Augmented Reality visualization of a range of important morphological and functional tissue parameters, such as blood oxygenation, without relying on highly accurate deformable registration algorithms. The work to be presented in the talk has resulted from the European Research Council (ERC) starting grant COMBIOSCOPY – Computational Biophotonics in Endoscopic Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy.

Dr. Bonato served as the Founding Editor-in-Chief of Journal on NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. He serves as a Member of the Advisory Board of the IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics and as Associate Editor of the IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine. Dr. Bonato served as an Elected Member of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) AdCom (2007-2010) and as President of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (2008-2010). Dr. Bonato served as Chair of the IEEE EMBS Technical Committee on Wearable Biomedical Sensors and Systems in 2008 and as founding member of this committee (2004-2012). He also served as Chair of the 33rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE EMBS (2011) and as Co-Chair of the 37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE EMBS (2015). He recently served as IEEE EMBS Vice President for Publications (2013-2016). He received the M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy in 1989 and the Ph.D. degree in biomedical engineering from Universita` di Roma “La Sapienza” in 1995. Dr. Bonato’s work has received about 7,000 citations (Google Scholar). Additional information about Dr. Bonato’s work can be found at www.srh-mal.net.

ABSTRACT
“Relying on Robotic and Sensing Technology to Identify Motor-Phenotypes and Develop Patient-Specific Neurorehabilitation Interventions”
Over the past decades, technology has gained a key role in neurorehabilitation. Our research team has focused its efforts on studying the potential use in neurorehabilitation of two technologies that we see as particularly relevant to the implementation of interventions, namely robotics (i.e., assistive devices and systems to retrain motor functions) and motion tracking technology (i.e., traditional camera-based motion analysis systems and recently developed wearable sensor-based systems). The goal of this lecture is to discuss the adoption of these technologies in neurorehabilitation and their potential role in identifying motor-phenotypes thus enabling the implementation of patient-specific interventions.

First, we will present the results of recent research work focused on assessing the interaction between subjects and robotic systems designed for robot-assisted gait retraining. Such interaction can be studied by carrying out motor adaptation experiments in which the ability of subjects to generate a motor adaptation strategy in response to the forces produced by the robot is looked upon as a proxy of the ability of subjects to “learn from a robot”. We will then elaborate on the relationship between motor adaptations and the control of human movement as studied using traditional as well as wearable motion tracking systems. Specifically, we will review associations between the subject’s inability to generate motor adaptations and the biomechanics of motion, including the presence of physiological vs. aberrant muscle synergies. Finally, we will discuss the use of the above-mentioned approaches to identify motor-phenotypes in patients undergoing neurorehabilitation thus enabling the development of patient-specific interventions.

2000-2004 – General Manager of Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi. Manages the administration of the facility throw planning and compliance of objectives.
1999-2000 – Market manager in Zimmer, leader company in orthopaedic devices. Responsible for the implementation of new marketing strategies designed to maximise revenue and extend the range of sales opportunities and business growth in orthopaedic market. Manages several key accounts (Hospitals and orthopaedic surgeons). Monitors and manages large marketing budgets.
1992-1998 – Product manager in Smith+nephew, leader company in orthopaedic devices
Responsible for the development and redditivity of orthopaedic devices lines (Hip, knee, trauma and spine). Responsible for managing the product throughout the product lifecycle, gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with senior managers to deliver winning products.
1991 – Bachelor in electronic engineering (Bioengineering) at Politecnico di Milano, Milan Italy.

1978-1989 – Deputy Manager and Manager of the Medical Equipment Department of the Public Hospitals
of Trieste.
1975-1978 – Test engineer for a telecommunication multinational company (GTE, Milan).

GRADUATION
University Degree in Electronic Engineering, University of Trieste, Italy.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
1978-1995 – Temporary Lecturer at Postgraduate Schools of Faculty of Medicine of the University
of Trieste.
From 1993 – Temporary Professor at Clinical Engineering Master Science Degree and
Postgraduate School of Clinical Engineering (Faculty of Engineering of the University
of Trieste).

PUBLICATIONS and CONFERENCES
Co-author of more than 40 publications and speaker at over 40 national and international workshops or symposiums.

PROFESSIONAL REGISTER
On the roll of the Society of Engineers of Trieste since 1975.

In 2016/17 she has been Chair of the Panel for the interim Evaluation of FET Flagships Program for the European Commission, DG Communication Networks, Content and Technology.
She is Partner of the IUVO, a start-up in wearable robotics founded in 2015 as a spin off of The Biorobotics Institute. Since 2015 she serves in the Board of Directors of the Piaggio Spa group.

His research activity is mainly dedicated to various aspects of biomedical signal and data processing and modelling related to the cardiovascular system and in the field of neurosciences. He is the Author of more than 600 indexed international scientific contributions (about 300 on indexed scientific journals), according to ISI. His h-Index is 50 (ISI) or 63 (Google Scholar). He has coordinated various research projects at national and international levels in various topics of Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics. He spent over a year as a Visiting Professor at the MIT and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston MA, USA, as well as a period of 3 months at the Department of Physics of the IST (Instituto Superior Tecnico), Technical University in Lisbon, Portugal.
He is Chairman of the Biomedical Engineering Group of Italian AEIT (Association of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunication). He is also Chairman of EMB18, Italian IEEE Chapter on Engineering in Medicine and Biology (EMB18). He is a Fellow member of IEEE, AIMBE and EAMBES and member of other international and national scientific associations. Since 2013 he is Member of the Ethical Committee of “Istituto Europeo di Oncologia (IEO)” and “Centro Cardiologico Monzino” in Milano, as well as of the Politecnico in Milano. In 2009 he received the IEEE-EMBS Academic Career Achievement Award. In 2010 he received the Milan Ambassador Award in recognition of his scientific activity finalized to the organization of important Conferences and initiatives in the Conference Center of the City of Milano. He is a Member of the Group of the best Italian Scientists (with h-Index ≥ 30).

Cingolani is author or co-author of about 750 papers in international journals (H-index = 80, citations >25100 Source Google Scholar, Jan 2017), and he holds about 48 patent families in the fields of:
– Structural, optical and electronic properties of quantum nanostructures of semiconductors
– Optical spectroscopy of solids and modelling of the electronic states (1985-1995)
– Nanofabrication of quantum nanostructures by optical, X-ray and electron-beam lithography (1990-2000)
– Molecular nanotechnologies for plastic photonics, OLED e plastic electronic devices (since 2000)
– Bio-nanotechnologies, biomimetic systems, biological electronic devices (since 2003)
– Nanochemistry, study and interdisciplinary application of nanoparticles of controlled size, shape and composition for new fluorophores, intelligent drug delivery
– Smart nanocomposite materials
Awards and Honors
1978 – National finalist of the X European Philips Contest for Young Researchers and Inventors
1980 and 1981 – European finalist of the XII and XIII European Philips Contest for Young Researchers and Inventors (Amsterdam and Bruxelles, respectively)
1980 – Awarded of the title of Alfiere del Lavoro by the President of the Italian Republic for the scientific and school curriculum
1986 and 1990 – Prize of the Italian Physical Society for young researchers
1999 – Awarded the INFM prize “Ugo Campisano”, for researchers in the field of Semiconductor Physics
2000 – Awarded the “ST-Microelectronics“ prize by the Italian Physical Society
2006 – Awarded the title of “Commendatore della Repubblica” by the President of the Italian Republic
2006 – Awarded the “Guido Dorso” prize by the Senate of the Italian Republic for his Research Activity
2010 – Awarded the “Grande Ippocrate” prize by Unamsi and Novartis

Daniela Corda’s scientific interests are in signal transduction and membrane lipid dynamics. Her laboratory has pioneered the field of protein ADP-ribosylation, and has identified the BARS protein and the components of the BARS-driven machinery leading to fission in membrane traffic and in Golgi complex partitioning during the cell cycle. Her findings have led to the identification of novel targets and small molecules to be developed in the pipeline for anti-cancer therapy.
Since 1998 DC has been also active in science policy focusing on career development and on gender-related issues within European organizations such as the European Life Scientist Organisation (ELSO), the EC Marie Curie Programme, FEBS, EMBO. She is a member of the genSET Science Leaders Panel. She is now the Delegate of Italy in Horizon 2020 (ERC, MSCA, FET Configurations) of the European Commission and is the CoChair of the Board of Funders for the FLAGERA program (FET-H2020).

He has authored or co-authored over 100 scientific papers published in reviewed journals and presented at international conferences and held dozens invited lectures and seminars in the field of analysis of human movement in various European and North American Institutions.

Besides many other offices he was appointed to as President and/or General Manager in the many Esaote Group subsidiaries and he was also a Board of Director in various North-American and Asian companies specialised in medical high tech. Presently he is member of the Board of Directors of Menarini Diagnostics, Firma and Silicon Biosystem all part of Menarini Group (the major Pharma Italian company). Since April 2012 he is also member of the Board of the CRF Bank, the center Italy sub-holding of Intesasanpaolo Bank (the major Italian Bank). Since May 2014 he is member of the Board of Directors of Leonardo/Finmeccanica, the major Air/Space/Defence and technological Group in Italy. Since May 2014 he is President of Toscana Life Science, a technological biotech accelerator and Life Sciences promotion Foundation based in Siena and member of the Board of the Life Sciences Tuscany Regional District. In 2015 he has been the founder of Panakes Partners SGR Spa, an investment company focused to Venture Capital in Life Sciences market that since 2016 managed Panakes Fund a V/C fund targeting MedTech investments. He has different positions in both Confindustria nazionale and Confindustria Firenze. He still contributes to several university and post-university courses on biomedical engineering, health and company management.

Founding Member of the Italian Society of Health Technology Assessment (SIHTA). He is currently President of the Italian Association of Clinical Engineers (AIIC). Assistant Professor at the Catholic University. Professor of Clinical Engineering and HTA, with particular reference to the Schedule of Investments, in the main postgraduate courses in the health sector (Catholic University, LUISS, University of Pisa, University of Siena, Milan Polytechnic, Sole24ore). Guest speaker at national and international conferences as an expert of evaluation of health technologies and clinical engineering. Member of the Commission of Bioengineering Order of Engineers of the Province of Rome. Author of several publications on scientific journals.

From 1.3.1999 to 31.12.2005: Human resources management, Lombardy region. Human resources policies for regional system and regional public health system. About 100,000 employees. Headquarters: Milan. From 1992 to 1999: Administrative coordination in leading private health.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING
From 2012 to 2015: Master’s degree in Business economics at Private University in Castellanza (Va).

From 1977 to 1983: Master’s degree in Philosophy at Padua State University.

From 2004 to current day: Several specialisation courses in Management, Administration, budgeting and control.

More than hundred contracts and tenures with Regional Educational Institutes and private and public Universities, concerning organisation and human resources, management, evaluation, national collective agreements, communication and relationships, etc.

TASK

From 2006 to 2017: President and Member of external evaluation units in public Institutions, e.g. Niguarda Hospital (Milan), St. Gerardo Hospital (Monza), Poma Hospital (Mantova), Arzignano local health company (Vicenza).

From 2003 to 2015: Member of Sector Committee, which represents employers in national collective
agreements boards.

Previously he covered the position of product manager in Piezosurgery srl, technical director at Anthen Ltd., executive regulatory affairs and quality assurance manager in Meditrial srl, Medical Device Technical Director in Eudax srl. Enrico Perfler actively participates to regulatory work groups. In particular from 2011 to 2014 he was in the panel of experts of the International Organization for Standardization ISO/TC 194 for the biological evaluation of medical devices – WG17 Nanomaterials and he was member of the Medical Device Technical Committees of UNI (Italian Organization for Standardization) Commission U4201 “Non Active Medical Devices – Biological Evaluation” and Commission U4205 “Surgical Implants”. From 2012 he is member of AFI – Pharmaceutical Industry Association – WG “Medical Device”.
Education: Biomedical Engineering studies at the University of Genova. Master Degree in 2003.
Professional.
Career: Enrico Perfler is a serial Entrepreneur that has founded and managed several medtech start-up companies. He is also author of two internationally granted patents for atrial fibrillation treatment describing catheter based solutions.

In 2001 he established the Technology Transfer Office of the Politecnico di Milano. In 2002 he was among the founders of the Italian Network for Technology Transfer (Netval) and its President till 2013. He won the Bridge Award 2009, awarded to an individual who has done the most to promote policies for entrepreneurship in university or public research institutions and the Italian 2016 Research Transfer Award.