Expertise: Periodontal Tissue Engineering, Electrical Stimulation, Stem Cells Cultivation, Electroconductive Biomaterials, Periodontal Microbiome
Thesis: Advanced 3D In Vitro Model of the Periodontitis Microbiome for Studying Host Interactions and Foster New Regenerative Medicine Solutions for Oral Health
Thesis Advisor: João Carlos Fernandes da Silva (iBB - IST); Henrique Vazão de Almeida (CENIMAT - FCT NOVA); Daniela Peneda Pacheco (Bac3Gel LDA).
Company: Bac3Gel
Short Bio:
Rúben Pires is an FCT-funded PhD researcher in Bioengineering and Biosciences at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), conducting research at Bac3Gel LDA, the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), and CENIMAT. He holds a MSc in Biotechnology from IST, where he studied electrical stimulation of human periodontal ligament stem cells for periodontal regeneration. He later worked on the FCT-funded InSilico4OCReg project, developing electroactive biomaterials for osteochondral tissue engineering. His current PhD focuses on host–microbiome interactions in periodontitis and the development of regenerative biomaterials. He has authored scientific publications, presented his work at conferences, and mentored PhD and MSc students.
Research Focus:
Investigation of host-microbiome interactions in periodontitis and the development of antibacterial conductive hydrogels and electrical stimulation to modulate microbial dysbiosis and promote periodontal tissue regeneration
Advanced 3D In Vitro Model of the Periodontitis Microbiome for Studying Host Interactions and Fostering New Regenerative Medicine Solutions for Oral Health: 2025.02741.BDANA