Pioneering Perspectives: Twente as a Hub for Transitioning to Animal-Free Innovation

As the global demand for ethical and sustainable scientific practices intensifies, the transition to animal-free innovation has become a pivotal focus in biomedical research and development. This session will highlight Twente's emerging role as a leading hub for pioneering advancements in this field.

Featuring a panel of experts from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, we will explore the latest technologies and methodologies driving this transformation. Topics will include innovative in vitro and silico models, the integration of bioengineering techniques, and the development of alternative testing methods.

Join us to learn about the strategic initiatives, cutting-edge research, and practical applications that position Twente at the forefront of animal-free innovation. This session aims to inspire and equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to advance ethical and effective scientific practices.

General information

Time: 13.15 - 14.30
Language: English
Room: FULL FOCUS (TL 2148 | First floor)
Available seats: 50

The programme

13.15 - 13.25	Welcome & Opening Andries van der Meer, Organ-on-Chip Centre Twente
13.25 - 13.35	The national Transition Program towards animal-free Innovation (TPI) Erica van Oort, TPI
13.35 - 13.45	Young TPI: accelerate the transition Saskia Aan, Young TPI & José Rivera Arbelaez, University of twente
13.45 - 13.55	TPI Utrecht: a regional hub Daniela Salvatori, University Utrecht
13.55 - 14.05	Animal-free innovation in companies Carlo Alberto Paggi, Chiron
14.05 - 14.25	Plenary discussion Andries van der Meer, Organ-on-Chip Centre Twente
14.25 - 14.30	Closing

Speakers

Daniela Salvatori | Utrecht University

Daniela holds the chair Comparative Anatomy and Physiology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University. She is a European certified Veterinary Pathologist. From 2019, she is the chairperson of " Transition to Animal-free Innovations Utrecht"(TPI Utrecht). TPI Utrecht has worked on many interdisciplinary projects to improve the quality of scientific research and education by supporting animal-free innovations. She led working group that has..

Saskia Aan | Young TPI

Saskia Aan has over five years of experience in Animal-Free Innovation. After earning her Master's degree in Biomedical Science with a specialization in Science in Society, she began her career as Science and Innovation Advisor at Stichting Proefdiervrij, where she contributed to the TPI program. Saskia currently serves as Manager Science at hDMT and became Chair of the Young TPI Board in June 2024. Her passion for advancing alternatives to animal testing is at the heart of her work.

José Manuel Rivera Arbeláez | University of Twente

Dr. Rivera Arbeláez is a highly skilled postdoctoral researcher at the EEMCS faculty in the BIOS Lab on Chip group and in the BET Department in the Applied Stem Cell Technologies group. His primary focus lies in driving technical innovation within the cardiac field, specifically on heart-on-chip technology, where he combines his extensive expertise in micro-fabrication, 3D modelling an and image analysis with the translation of measured values to human physiology.

Erica van Oort | TPI

My background is in Molecular Biology (UU), followed by a PhD focused on natural and recombinant allergens and a postdoc on celiac disease. After that I worked at ZonMw, a funding organisation. I was a program manager for several programs, but also for the More Knowledge with Fewer Animals program (MKMD). In 2018 the TPI program was started and ZonMw became a partner. In 2021, I shifted jobs and I became the program manager of the TPI-program at LVVN.

Carlos Alberto Paggi | Chiron

Carlo Alberto Paggi has a PhD from the University of Twente in Bioengineering working on organ-on-chip technologies for joint diseases. He has worked as a scientist in cell and gene therapies in LONZA for 1+ billion projects. He has more than five years of experience with the development of microfluidic systems for biomedical applications, in the form of organ-on-chip models with mechanical stimulation of cells, with a focus on cartilage and synovium tissues, and cancer. Carlo Alberto is currently the co-founder and head of research of chiron an organ-on-chip company spin out of the University of Twente.

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