The TERMIS EU is back after the World Conference edition in 2024 in Seattle!
The 2025 edition of TERMIS EU stood in Freiburg Germany! In the main hall of the Messe, the conference opened with a warm welcome from the local organizing committee, Professor Bernd Rolauffs, M.D., and Associate Professor Melanie Hart, Ph.D. This year’s conference’s objective was to increase dialogue and collaboration between clinicians and researchers to better define the future of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Indeed, the week’s motto was, “Shaping the Future by Connecting Scientific Diversity”. Elveflow was here to represent microfluidics in the development of tissue engineering applications. During these 4 days, we engaged with researchers from all over the world and also attended some of the excellent presentations delivered by this scientific community. In this report you will be able to read about the following topics:
Hope you enjoy the read!
Louise Fournier, Scientific Content Manager
During the opening ceremony, we attended the live painting performance by Niels Theurer, capturing the history and evolution of tissue engineering in a visual narrative, following the speakers’ speeches.
The roots of tissue engineering trace back to the 1980s, gaining public attention in the 1990s with the now-iconic image of the “Vacanti mouse”, implanted with a human ear-shaped cartilage graft on its back formed from bovine cartilage cells. Though controversial at the time, this image has come to symbolize a major milestone in the birth of the field. In the early 2000s, European researchers came together in Austria to define a unified vision for regenerative medicine, laying the groundwork for what would later become TERMIS EU. This year marks the 25th anniversary of that founding vision and the 20th anniversary of TERMIS Global.
The 2025 edition of the conference placed a strong emphasis on accelerating clinical translation and providing a space where academics and clinicians could exchange on what are the current needs on both sides. With over 1,300 participants, including 600 early-career researchers, and more than 500 oral presentations, TERMIS EU 2025 confirmed the field’s dynamic growth and its continued potential to impact global healthcare.
The 2025 edition of TERMIS EU marked Elveflow’s first time attending the conference, and we were mind-blown by the richness of the program, with up to 8 parallel sessions running simultaneously throughout the week. What stood out most was the diversity of applications presented across the field of tissue engineering, from studies on specific pathologies, tissue function, to cutting-edge investigations into physiological systems under spaceflight conditions. We were particularly impressed by the integration of virtual reality tools for image analysis, the latest advancements in bioprinting, and the growing focus on vascularization strategies aimed at prolonging the viability of 3D tissue models and improving grafting success. As 3D tissue engineering becomes increasingly refined, researchers are now turning their attention to microfluidic technologies and other enabling methods to bring these models closer to clinical application.
The first plenary session was delivered by Professor Alain Chédotal, from Institut de la Vision in Paris, who presented one of the best advanced imaging techniques applied to human embryology, brain development, and neurological diseases. We learned that there was a critical need to revisit and deepen our understanding of human embryonic development, noting the lack of updated models and detailed anatomical descriptions since the 1940s. Indeed, this gap can be explained by the limited availability of human samples and the historical constraints of imaging technologies.
He brought us to a fascinating journey inside terabytes of imaging data and introduced the 3DISCO imaging technique. A method based on refractive index matching that enables three-dimensional light-sheet microscopy of whole embryos following immunostaining and tissue clearing. This approach generates high-resolution 3D images of complex anatomical structures. In his lab, students explore these datasets in virtual reality, allowing them to precisely annotate structures such as tendons, muscles, and vasculature, providing insights that are impossible to obtain through traditional 2D imaging.
This immersive 3d imaging technique enables researchers to reconstruct and analyze the entire sequence of organ formation and remodeling across different stages of development. As Professor Chédotal highlighted, all human embryos undergo the same developmental stages during the first eight weeks, regardless of sex, a fundamental insight that underscores the value of detailed embryonic mapping for both research and clinical applications.
A challenge that has emerged with the rise of 3D cell models, which was not present in traditional 2D cell cultures, is the difficulty in sustaining cells located deep within the construct. Vascularization is therefore fundamental in tissue engineering, as it enables the delivery of oxygen and nutrients and the removal of waste products, all critical for maintaining cell viability and function. Without a vascular network, the inner regions of 3D tissues often become hypoxic and necrotic. As a result, incorporating vascularization strategies is essential not only to extend the lifespan and performance of engineered tissues, but also to enhance their chances of successful integration and therapeutic application.
In tissue engineering, vascularization is vital for sustaining tissue viability and ensuring successful integration after transplantation. Without a functional vascular network, engineered tissues are unable to receive sufficient nutrients or remove metabolic waste, leading to reduced survival and function. The formation of new blood vessels, known as angiogenesis, typically occurs in vivo but can also be induced in vitro using the appropriate combination of mechanical cues, cellular composition, and growth factor supplementation.
During her presentation, Professor Cristina Barrias, from Porto University, outlined two main strategies for pre-vascularizing engineered tissues:
As a complementary answer, she described a hybrid strategy, one that provides structural guidance while allowing for cellular self-organization. This strategy can offer the most promising outcomes in generating physiologically relevant vasculature. To achieve this level of complexity, Prof. Barrias highlighted the importance of two key cell types:
Her research involves the use of vascular units (VUs), which are small multicellular aggregates cultured in microwells and embedded in fibrin hydrogels. These constructs mature into dense, interconnected 3D vascular networks. When integrated into microfluidic chips, they can be connected to microchannels for vessel-on-chip models and used to vascularize organoids, enhancing their structural complexity and physiological relevance.
Working within the same research team as Prof. Barrias at the University of Porto, Dr. Cristina Salgado presented compelling findings on the mechanical regulation of angiogenesis. Her work pointed out the critical role that mechanical stimuli play in the formation and stabilization of engineered vascular constructs. Specifically, she demonstrated that moderate flow rates (around 15 µL/min) combined with a controlled compression stimulus (10% strain), significantly enhance HUVEC (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells) alignment and vessel stability when compared to static conditions or excessive flow rates. These results highlight the importance of fine-tuning biomechanical cues in tissue-engineered models to better mimic physiological angiogenesis. [4]
These findings underscore the importance of accurately controlling flow conditions to mimic physiological angiogenesis. In this context, pressure-based flow control systems, combined with flow sensors, offer a reliable alternative to syringe and peristaltic pumps. They provide more stable and responsive control of low flow rates, which is essential for replicating the subtle mechanical cues that influence vascular alignment and stability. This level of precision is particularly valuable in long-term perfusion studies and tissue-engineered systems where flow must remain consistent and adjustable over time.
Another critical parameter in tissue engineering vascularization is the establishment of growth factor gradients, particularly in complex 3D co-culture models involving multiple cell types, each with distinct culture requirements. This challenge was effectively addressed in the work of Dr. Ashley Murphy, who aimed to co-culture aortic endothelial cells with adipose-derived stromal cells within a 3D hydrogel matrix integrated into a microfluidic chip.
Through a custom-designed microfluidic platform and a precise feeding strategy maintained over 31 days, the team successfully established spatiotemporal counter-current gradients of vasculogenic and adipogenic factors across the hydrogel. This innovative approach enabled the simultaneous development of microvascular networks and functional adipocytes within a single 3D construct.
The impact of vascularization on adipogenesis was striking: lipid coverage reached 67.4% in the presence of vascular networks, compared to only 1.86% in their absence. These results underscore the importance of gradient control and tissue integration in the development of physiologically relevant engineered tissues.
Gradients of growth factors, nutrients, or other biomolecules play a vital role in directing cell behavior in engineered tissues. These can be effectively generated by combining well-designed microfluidic chip geometries with accurate flow control. Elveflow’s systems, equipped with high-precision pressure controllers and flow sensors, allow researchers to finely adjust flow conditions and create stable, reproducible gradients across 3D cultures. For a practical example of how this can be achieved, see our use case here.
In tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, bioprinting has emerged in recent years as a rapidly growing and transformative field. In brief, it is a form of additive manufacturing that uses bioinks (mixtures of cells, biomaterials, and signaling molecules) to create 3D tissue-like structures. These bioinks are often based on hydrogels such as alginate, GelMA, or PEG, and are engineered to ensure printability, mechanical stability, biocompatibility, and controlled degradation. The composition of a bioink is tailored to support specific tissue functions, often incorporating cells, growth factors, or drugs to mimic the native environment.
Several bioprinting methods exist, each suited to different applications:
The choice of technique depends on the required resolution, material properties, and biological goals.
Professor Jeroen Leijte raised a critical point regarding the scaling limitations of using only small constructs like spheroids and organoids in tissue engineering. As their size increases, nutrient diffusion to the core becomes limited, often resulting in necrotic centers. While this poses a challenge for functional tissue modeling, it can also be leveraged to mimic ischemic tissue, as demonstrated in our latest research summary about microfluidic constriction assays. We observed that strategies vary depending on the application, but they generally fall into two categories: one-block printing or modular, granular approaches that rely on the assembly of building blocks.
In the category of bulk material printing, a notable example was presented by Dr. Alexis Wölfel from the University of Twente. He introduced existing volumetric bioprinting (VBP), a contactless technique that builds 3D structures directly within a bioink container. However, despite its promise, VBP faces ongoing challenges related to scalability, resolution, and multi-material compatibility. To overcome these limitations, a next-generation technique, bio-xolography, was developed. Originally used for printing rigid plastics, xolography is a volumetric printing method that is projecting light patterns into photoreactive materials but requires significant adaptation for use with aqueous, cell-compatible materials. In his recent work, Dr. Wölfel demonstrated the first successful bio-xolographic printing of cell-laden hydrogels, enabling the rapid, high-resolution fabrication of complex living constructs. This study confirms xolography’s suitability for printing viable, centimeter-scale tissues with precision and speed. [7]
Xolographic printing of robust yet intricately structured hydrogels at high resolution. a) Schematic depiction, b) CAD model, and c) printed structure of a human heart highlighting a portion of the right coronary artery, which was based on a computed tomography image. d) The printed artery was perfused with fluorescent µ-beads to e) visualize the negative space. f) CAD model and g) Schlieren photograph of Xolographic print structure of an MRI-derived hypertrophic brain.[25] h) Bottom-view and i) top-view photographs of the printed structure stained with eosin Y. CAD models and Schlieren photographs of printed structures of j) a gyroid,[26] k) a free-floating ball-in-an-icosahedron,[27] and l) a 3D projection of a tesseract.[28] m) Schlieren photographs and deformation quantification of tesseract before, during, and after mechanical deformation. The yellow arrow highlights the presence of a flexural loop under deformation, which is then fully recovered, accenting the flexibility and robustness of the fine-printed structure. Scale bars indicate 2 mm unless stated otherwise. [7]
The strategy of bulk material printing can also be approached through the careful selection and tuning of the printing material itself. This is exemplified by the work of Professor Jeroen Leijten from Twente University, who developed a method for single-step printing of perfusable channels with customizable chemical and mechanical properties. Central to this approach is the use of Aqueous Two-Phase Systems (ATPS), a liquid–liquid fractionation technique traditionally used for biomolecule extraction and purification. By repurposing ATPS for 3D bioprinting, his team created printable, perfusable, and injectable channel constructs that model blood vessels. [8]
In particular, they used a system composed of dextran and polyethylene glycol (PEG), the most studied ATPS pair, to fabricate functional, freeform microchannels via low-viscosity syringe-based printing. This method eliminates the need for thixotropic materials (described in our previous conference report!) and allows precise control over construct composition by modulating parameters such as polymer concentration, molecular,weight, hydrophobicity, pH, and temperature. This material-centric approach enables on-demand tuning of bioprinted structures to match specific biological or mechanical needs.
Recently published in Biofabrication [10], Prof. Laura De Laporte from RWTH Aachen University, also presented her team’s work on synergizing bioprinting with 3D cell culture, focusing on the design of synthetic, tunable hydrogels for tissue engineering.
In the study presented, a PEG-based bioink was engineered to promote the growth and expansion of cell spheroids composed of human primary endothelial cells and fibroblasts. To address PEG’s lack of shear-thinning properties, the bioink was co-bioprinted alongside two distinct sacrificial template materials, enabling the fabrication of cubic constructs that became perfusable once the templates were removed. The resulting centimeter-scale 3D bioprinted structures demonstrated high shape fidelity and accelerated matrix softening, providing ample space for tissue development. This work is part of the broader OrganTrans project (organtrans.eu), which aims to advance biofabricated tissues for therapeutic use.
A different strategy from bulk material printing was also presented by Prof. Laura De Laporte, who introduced a colloidal building block approach, much like assembling with LEGO bricks rather than printing everything as a single block. She provided a comprehensive overview of innovative bioprinting strategies, with a particular focus on droplet microfluidics techniques for fabricating microgel rods. These rod-shaped microgels serve as modular building blocks for 3D hydrogels, supporting cell culture and tissue engineering applications.
Her team’s research explores the influence of fabrication parameters on the internal architecture of microgel rods produced via microfluidics, in contrast to bulk hydrogel synthesis [11]. These internal structures directly impact the mechanical stiffness and molecular diffusion properties of the gels, both of which are critical for tissue functionality. By controlling these parameters, they propose a design roadmap for optimizing microgels in tissue engineering and drug delivery, enabling the fine-tuning of nutrient and bioactive molecule transport.
Additionally, her group developed magneto-responsive microgel rods that can be magnetically aligned to form anisotropic scaffolds. This alignment enhances directional cell growth, a key requirement for engineering tissues such as nerves or muscles, where structural orientation is essential.
Asma Sadat Vaziri from the University of Groningen highlighted the importance of tailoring bioprinting methods to specific applications and material properties. One of the key challenges in bioprinting lies in balancing printability with biological performance, as enhancing structural precision often compromises cell function. Granular hydrogel bioinks offer a promising solution by introducing microporosity throughout the construct, which improves nutrient and oxygen diffusion while supporting cell growth. Their modular design allows fine-tuning of essential parameters such as porosity, printability, resolution, degradation rate and heterogeneity. The properties of individual microgels directly influence the construct’s overall fidelity and biological functionality. Importantly, the structural stability of granular bioprinted constructs depends on carefully designed inter- and intraparticle crosslinking strategies, which are crucial to maintaining the integrity of the printed tissue. Indeed, there are resolution limitations of extrusion bioprinting and her work consisted in the comparison of three microgel fabrication strategies for granular bioinks: extrusion-based (atomization), emulsion-based (microfluidics), and fragmentation-based (ball miller).
Among them, microfluidics produced the most monodisperse microgels (50–150 µm), while fragmentation led to the widest size range (1–1000 µm). Using various natural polymers, she evaluated how each method impacts injectability, viscoelasticity, and printability. Notably, Tyramine-alginate (Tyr-Alg) bioinks showed excellent shear-thinning, injectability, and adhesiveness—key traits for effective biofabrication. [13]
Prof. Jürgen Groll, from the University of Würzburg, delivered the final plenary lecture of the week, offering a compelling presentation on the current state and future of bioprinting. While acknowledging the growing interest in the field, he emphasized a crucial point: bioprinting should serve a functional purpose and not be used for its novelty alone. Where appropriate, traditional molding techniques may remain more effective.
He introduced one of the key biofabrication techniques used in his lab, Melt Electrowriting (MEW). MEW operates by applying a high voltage to a polymer melt, allowing the deposition of ultra-fine fibers onto a substrate with high precision and without solvents. The narrow gap between nozzle and collector permits controlled fiber alignment, creating architectures with resolutions tailored for cell attachment and growth.
In his latest work, Prof. Groll combined MEW with electrospinning to fabricate tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs). This bilayered composite structure was designed to mimic the mechanical properties of native blood vessels, including radial tensile strength, burst pressure, and ultimate tensile stress. The circumferential alignment of MEW fibers guided cell orientation and supported smooth muscle cell differentiation.
Unlike electrospinning—which results in random fiber deposition—MEW allows precise patterning of fibers, enabling the creation of customized and mechanically tunable scaffolds. This dual electrohydrodynamic approach demonstrates promising potential for developing patient-specific vascular structures, offering both functional performance and biological relevance. [15]
At TERMIS 2025, microfluidics was part of numerous abstracts and emerged as a central technology at the crossroads of many areas of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The following highlights illustrate the versatility of microfluidic systems in enhancing physiological relevance, enabling precise control over cellular environments, and improving translational outcomes.
Because academic research is also impacted by the newest technologies, an engaging debate at the conference explored the role of AI in scientific research and publishing, featuring Dr. Christine Horejs (Editor, Nature Reviews Bioengineering), Prof. Bernd Rolauffs, and Dr. Mary C. Walsh. The discussion focused on clearly defining how AI should be used, whether for data analysis or as a writing assistant.
A key takeaway was that AI can be extremely helpful for writing support, including tasks such as summarizing abstracts, improving grammar, and organizing ideas. However, it was agreed that AI should not be used to generate original scientific content.
Another important point raised was the need for transparency: any use of AI tools in the preparation of a manuscript should be explicitly mentioned in the publication. Currently, there is a lack of standardized guidelines for disclosing AI use in scientific writing.
Finally, the panel emphasized the importance of data privacy and confidentiality, particularly when using tools like ChatGPT. Researchers should be cautious about sharing sensitive or unpublished data due to potential risks associated with cloud-based AI platforms.
Elveflow’s first participation in TERMIS EU 2025 was an inspiring opportunity to connect with the tissue engineering community and witness how microfluidics is transforming the field. From enabling precise vascularization strategies through dynamic flow and growth factor gradients, to supporting organ-on-chip systems that replicate complex physiological barriers like the blood-brain interface, microfluidic platforms were a recurring and critical element throughout the week.
These examples reaffirm the versatility of microfluidics, not just as a support tool, but as a driver of innovation in regenerative medicine. As researchers continue to push for greater physiological relevance and clinical translation, microfluidic technologies will remain essential for creating robust, reproducible, and scalable models for future therapies.
The next edition of TERMIS EU will take place under the sun of Palma de Mallorca in 2026, a promising opportunity to further connect disciplines and technologies. Would you be there?
If you’re exploring how microfluidics can accelerate your research, reach out. We’ve been on this stage for over 10 years, and our experts will be happy to advise you on what we know best.
Written and reviewed by Louise Fournier, PhD in Chemistry and Biology Interface. For more content about Microfluidics, you can have a look here.
[1] M. Belle et al., “A Simple Method for 3D Analysis of Immunolabeled Axonal Tracts in a Transparent Nervous System,” Cell Reports, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 1191–1201, 2014, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.10.037
[2] R. Blain et al., “A tridimensional atlas of the developing human head,” Cell, vol. 186, no. 26, pp. 5910–5924, 2023, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.11.013
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[4] S.J. Nivlouei et al., “Angiogenesis Dynamics: A Computational Model of Intravascular Flow Within a Structural Adaptive Vascular Network,” Biomedicines, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12122845
[5] A. Murphy et al., “Fabricating microfluidic co-cultures of immortalised cell lines uncovers robust design principles for the simultaneous formation of patterned, vascularised, and stem cell-derived adipose tissue,” BioRxiv, 2025, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.22.634386
[6] D. Karaman et al., “Microspheres for 3D bioprinting: a review of fabrication methods and applications,” Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., vol. 13, 2025, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1551199
[7] A. Wolfel et al., “Bioxolography Using Diphenyliodonium Chloride and N-Vinylpyrrolidone Enables Rapid High-Resolution Volumetric 3D Printing of Spatially Encoded Living Matter,” Advanced Materials, 2025, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202501052
[8] M. Iqbal et al., “Aqueous two-phase system (ATPS): an overview and advances in its applications,” Biological Procedures Online, vol.18, 2016, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12575-016-0048-8
[9] M. Becker et al., “ATPS-enabled single-step printing of chemically and mechanically on-demand tunable perfusable channels in ejectable constructs,” Biofabrication, vol. 17, 2025, DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/adbcdc
[10] D. Günther et al., “Synergizing bioprinting and 3D cell culture to enhance tissue formation in printed synthetic constructs,” Biofabrication, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 1191–1201, 2025, DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/adae37
[11] A. J. D. Krüger et al., “Compartmentalized Jet Polymerization as a High-Resolution Process to Continuously Produce Anisometric Microgel Rods with Adjustable Size and Stiffness,” Advanced Materials, 2019, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201903668
[12] Y. Kittel et al., “Varying the Stiffness and Diffusivity of Rod-Shaped Microgels Independently through Their Molecular Building Blocks,” Angewandte Chemie, 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202309779
[13] C. Tutee et al., “Emerging granular hydrogel bioinks to improve biological function in bioprinted constructs,” Trends in Biotechnology, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 339–352, 2014, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.09.007
[14] F. Afghah et al., “Biomimicry in Bio-Manufacturing: Developments in Melt Electrospinning Writing Technology Towards Hybrid Biomanufacturing,” Applied Sciences, 2019, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app9173540
[15] M. Bartolf-Kopp et al., “Hybrid Co-Spinning and Melt Electrowriting Approach Enables Fabrication of Heterotypic Tubular Scaffolds Resembling the Non-Linear Mechanical Properties of Human Blood Vessels,” Advanced Functional Materials, 2024, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202311797
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