Dr. Anni Mörö

Anni Mörö is a Senior Research Fellow in the Eye Regeneration Group at Tampere University (Finland). She holds a PhD in Cell and Tissue Engineering, and for the past 15 years, her research has focused on developing biomaterial-based solutions for ocular stem cell therapies. Mörö completed her postdoctoral training at the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. in Germany, where she specialized in laser-induced forward transfer-based bioprinting. She is a pioneer in the 3D bioprinting of corneal tissues using human stem cells and has been recognized for her contributions to medical innovation with an award from the Council of Tampere Region for her groundbreaking work in corneal 3D bioprinting. In addition to her academic research, Mörö is actively involved in translating scientific discoveries into practical and clinical applications in the biotech industry. She has co-founded two spin-off companies, StemSight Oy and LifeGlue Technologies Oy. LifeGlue Technologies is advancing a clinically suitable hydrogel platform designed to provide high-quality raw materials for advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) and 3D bioprinting applications.

The KeratOPrinter project, funded under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (grant agreement No. 101191726), serves as a pivotal initiative driving regenerative medicine forward. This project focuses on developing a bioprinting suite capable of producing full-thickness corneal grafts, addressing the global shortage of donor corneas. By leveraging iPSC-derived corneal cells, bioinks, and advanced 3D bioprinting technologies, KeratOPrinter aims to enhance the precision, scalability, and accessibility of biofabricated tissues for ophthalmology. The project is a multidisciplinary collaboration between leading research institutes, SMEs, and industry partners specialising in stem cell differentiation, biomaterials, regulatory affairs, clinical ophthalmology, and robust, portable containers with active CO₂ and temperature control that ensures the safe transport of living cells and biological samples under optimal laboratory conditions. The integration of GMP-compliant workflows and AI-driven quality control mechanisms ensures the reliability and reproducibility of bioprinted tissues, facilitating their transition into clinical applications.

Dr. Bart Spee

Dr. Spee is a scientist with over 20 years of experience in Molecular Biology and Veterinary Medicine, and (co)author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. After earning his Ph.D. on liver regeneration and fibrosis, he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Leuven and completed an internship at the NIH on cholangiocarcinoma. He later returned to Utrecht University as an Assistant Professor. His current work focuses on applying stem cell technologies— including organoids, MSCs, and iPSCs— to promote liver regeneration. He develops physiologically relevant in vitro liver models and explores biofabrication strategies for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), such as bioengineered liver tissue. Dr. Spee is involved in major European initiatives, including ORGANTRANS and serves as a coordinator in the NEOLIVER consortium. He is also co-founder of Orgonex, a spin-off developing organoid-specific bioreactors that standardize and improve organoid culture.