Past events
Biohydrogels 2007: 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON BIOHYDROGELS
University of Siena (Viareggio, Italy)
November 14-18, 2007
The 1st International Congress on Biohydrogels was held in Viareggio, Italy, from November 14-18, 2007. This inaugural meeting was organized by Professor Rolando Barbucci. The congress brought together scientists and professionals from academia, industry, and medical fields to discuss research in the field of biohydrogels. The success of this first event led to subsequent "Biohydrogels" meetings in Florence, Italy, in 2009 and 2011. Key themes and topics typically discussed at such conferences include:-Nature and structure of hydrogels-Hydrogels in medicine, regenerative medicine, pharmacy, and personal care products-Stem cells and tissue engineering applications-Drug delivery mechanisms from hydrogels-Nanoparticles and composite hydrogels The event was a precursor to the formation of a formal society dedicated to advancing the interdisciplinary network for biohydrogel research.
Biohydrogels 2009: 2ND INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON BIOHYDROGELS“Industrial applications of hydrogels
University of Siena (Viareggio, Italy)
November10-15, 2009
The Biohydrogels 2009 Congress, held from November 10–15, 2009, was organized by the University of Siena (Italy) and took place in Viareggio, Italy. The congress focused on recent advances in hydrogel science and technology, bringing together researchers from academia and industry.The scientific program addressed key topics including stem cells and hydrogels, controlled release and gene delivery, physicochemical properties of hydrogels, and a wide range of biomedical applications. Particular emphasis was placed on hydrogels for tissue engineering and scaffold development, highlighting their role in regenerative medicine.A major highlight of the congress was the Industrial Day, dedicated to industrial applications of hydrogels, which promoted interaction between academic researchers and industry partners and encouraged innovation and technology transfer.
Biohydrogels 2011: 3RD INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON BIOHYDROGELS
University of Siena (Florence, Italy)
November 8-12, 2011
The 3rd International Congress on Biohydrogels (Biohydrogels 2011) was a scientific conference held in Florence, Italy, from November 8-12, 2011, focusing on advanced polymer hydrogels for biomedical and tissue engineering applications, with sessions covering synthesis, properties, and uses in medicine, featuring poster prizes and discussions on new biomaterials and manufacturing. Key Details:-Focus: Research in biohydrogels, including their synthesis (like RAFT polymerization), properties (thermoresponsive), and applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery.-Highlights: Included poster sessions, with awards like the Soft Matter Poster Prize, celebrating innovations in biomaterial development. This congress served as a key platform for researchers to share cutting-edge work in creating responsive, biodegradable hydrogels for advanced medical uses, contributing to the field of next-generation biomaterials.
Biohydrogels 2015: BIOHYDROGELS WORKSHOP 2015“From polymer network to regenerative medicine
University of Nantes (France)
March 5-6, 2015
The Biohydrogels 2015 Workshop was held in March 2015 at the University of Nantes (France) with the objective of establishing the Society for Biohydrogels. The meeting brought together approximately 100 participants from across Europe, including representatives from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.In addition to the scientific discussions, the workshop hosted the inaugural business meeting of the Society for Biohydrogels, chaired by Prof. Pierre Weiss. During this session, the Statutes of the Society were reviewed, discussed, and approved article by article. The Statutes were formally signed by Prof. Pierre Weiss and Dr. Catherine Le Visage, ensuring the official foundation of the Society for Biohydrogels on March 6, 2015.
Biohydrogels 2017: TERMIS EUROPEAN CHAPTER MEETING 2017 (Symposia 1 - Hydrogels in tissue engineering: Progress and challenges / Symposia 2 – Biohydrogels)“Chemical and biological aspects of the design of biohydrogels in Regenerative Medicine”
AO Research Institute J (Davos, Switzerland)
June 28, 2017
The TERMIS European Chapter Meeting 2017, held in Davos, Switzerland, represented a major international forum for advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Within this highly influential meeting, the Society for Biohydrogels played a prominent role by organizing two dedicated symposia on June 28, 2017, focused on the chemical and biological aspects of biohydrogel design for regenerative medicine.The two symposia Hydrogels in Tissue Engineering: Progress and Challenges and Biohydrogels provided a comprehensive overview of recent progress in hydrogel science, spanning material design, physicochemical characterization, biological performance, and translational potential. Contributions highlighted how rational chemical engineering and biological insights can be combined to develop next-generation biohydrogels tailored for regenerative applications.The symposia were embedded within the broader TERMIS-EU 2017 meeting, hosted by the AO Research Institute under the theme “Personalized Therapies for Regenerative Medicine.” The conference attracted more than 1,300 participants from around the world and featured a rich scientific program addressing emerging frontiers such as RNA-based therapies, 3D printing, and advanced biomaterial platforms for tissue regeneration.The success of the Biohydrogels symposia at TERMIS-EU 2017 underscored the growing scientific and clinical relevance of biohydrogels as key enabling technologies in regenerative medicine. Moreover, it reaffirmed the mission of the Society for Biohydrogels to foster interdisciplinary exchange and to promote the integration of fundamental science with translational and clinical perspectives at major international scientific events.
Biohydrogels 2021: BIOHYDROGELS DAY 2021“From basic science to applications of hydrogels in drug delivery and regenerative medicine”
University of Nantes (France)
April 23, 2021
The Biohydrogels Day 2021 was held on April 23, 2021, as a virtual conference organized by the University of Nantes (France) and hosted from Nantes, France. This event was organized by the Society for Biohydrogels as part of its ongoing mission to promote scientific exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of biohydrogels.Since the first Biohydrogels meeting initiated by Prof. Rolando Barbucci in 2007, numerous congresses have followed with the shared objective of fostering innovation, collaboration, and knowledge transfer in hydrogel science. While awaiting the next in-person congress planned for 2022, the Society organized this full-day virtual immersion into the rapidly evolving world of biohydrogels.The scientific program featured six invited speakers, who guided participants from fundamental science and material design to translational research and practical applications of hydrogels in drug delivery and regenerative medicine.
