dr.ir. J. Rouwkema (Jeroen)

Associate Professor
ET-BE-EOST
Horst Complex W106
j.rouwkema@utwente.nl
+31534896497
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Jeroen Rouwkema is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomechanical Engineering at the University of Twente, where he is the PI of the Vascularization Lab. Jeroen received his doctoral degree from the University of Twente under the supervision of prof. Clemens van Blitterswijk. Prior to this, he worked 6 months in the lab of prof. Robert (Bob) Langer at MIT, USA. Between 2014 and 2015 he was also appointed as a Visiting Researcher at Harvard Medical School, USA, in the group of Prof. Ali Khademhosseini.

His lab focuses on tuning the local mechanical and chemical micro-environment in order to control development and organization of vascularized engineered tissues. Adding a vascular network to an engineered tissue is a promising method to enhance tissue integration and survival after implantation. The engineered vascular network can connect to the vasculature of the patient, resulting in a faster perfusion with blood and therefore a better supply of nutrients and oxygen. The lab consists of three pillars, which each concentrate on a specific aspect to reach the common goal:

  • To develop novel bioengineering technologies, such as 3D bioprinting and growth factor patterning technology, enabling the combination of multiple distinct cellular environments within a single tissue construct.
  • To develop computational models to predict the mechanical and chemical micro-environment due to external deformations and fluid flows, and subsequent models to predict tissue development based on this environment.
  • To develop micro-bioreactor systems to experimentally elucidate the effects of multiple combined mechanical and chemical signals on cell behavior and tissue development.

Jeroen has directed approximately € 3 million in research funding. He has received a VENI fellowship from NWO, as well as an International Outgoing Fellowship, which is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions of the European Commission. In 2017 he received a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator grant and in 2019 and in 2021 an ERC Proof of Concept grant. In 2017 he also received the TERMIS EU Robert Brown Early Career Principal Investigator Award.

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Expertise

  • Medicine and Dentistry

    • Tissues
    • Cells
    • Vascularity
    • Tissue Engineering
    • Vascular Network

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

    • Vascularization
    • Growth Factor
    • Aptamer

Organisations

Dr. Rouwkema focuses on tuning the local mechanical and chemical micro-environment in order to control development and organization of vascularized engineered tissues. Adding a vascular network to an engineered tissue is a promising method to enhance tissue integration and survival after implantation. The engineered vascular network can connect to the vasculature of the patient, resulting in a faster perfusion with blood and therefore a better supply of nutrients and oxygen.

For more information see the following website: http://www.vascularizationlab.com/ 

Publications

2024
Switching to external flows: Perturbations of developing vasculature within chicken chorioallantoic membrane, 3233-3242. Padmanaban, P., Galen, D. v., Salehi-Nik, N., Zakharova, M., Segerink, L. & Rouwkema, J.https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LC00311JEmbedded Printing of Hydrogels and Watery Suspensions of Cells in Patterned Granular Baths, 206-216. Trikalitis, V. D., Paizal, J. P., Rangel, V., Stein, F. & Rouwkema, J.https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.tec.2024.0015Switching to external flows: perturbations of developing vasculature within chicken chorioallantoic membrane. bioRxiv. Padmanaban, P., Galen, D. v., Salehi-Nik, N., Zakharova, M., Segerink, L. & Rouwkema, J.https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.01.11.575208TO FIX OR NOT TO FIX!?: Strategies and tools to place and fixate a flexible joint implant. University of Twente. Farjam, P.https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036560481
2023
Bioactive calcium phosphate coatings applied to flexible poly(carbonate urethane) foils, Article 129838. Farjam, P., Luckabauer, M., Vries, E. G. d., Rangel, V. R., Hekman, E. E. G., Verkerke, G. J. & Rouwkema, J.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2023.129838Design of an articulating non-invasive joint distractor for metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumbIn Proceedings of the 2023 Design of Medical Devices Conference, Article v001t10a004. ASME Digital Collection. Farjam, P., Roubos, T. J., Rouwkema, J., Hekman, E. E. G. & Verkerke, G. J.https://doi.org/10.1115/DMD2023-4967Spatial control of self-organizing vascular networks with programmable aptamer-tethered growth factor photopatterning, Article 100551. Rana, D., Padmanaban, P., Becker, M., Stein, F., Leijten, J., Koopman, B. & Rouwkema, J.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100551Embedded 3D printing of dilute particle suspensions into dense complex tissue fibers using shear thinning xanthan baths, Article 015014. Trikalitis, V. D., Kroese, N. J. J., Kaya, M., Cofino Fabres, C., ten Den, S. A., S.M. Khalil, I., Misra, S., Koopman, B. F. J. M., Passier, R., Schwach, V. & Rouwkema, J.https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/aca124
2022
3D printed Magnetically Deformable Hydrogels in a Granular Medium for Tissue Engineering applications. El Akkawi, M., Trikalitis, V. D., Gibson, I., Goulas, C. & Rouwkema, J.Visualization of micro-agents and surroundings by real-time multicolor fluorescence microscopy, Article 13375. Kaya, M., Stein, F., Padmanaban, P., Zhang, Z., Rouwkema, J., Khalil, I. S. M. & Misra, S.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-17297-7Spatiotemporally controlled, aptamers-mediated growth factor release locally manipulates microvasculature formation within engineered tissues, 71-84. Rana, D., Kandar, A., Salehi-Nik, N., Inci, I., Koopman, B. & Rouwkema, J.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.10.024Simulate before you stimulate: predictive cell-based models for tissue engineering applications, 121-121. Padmanaban, P., Rouwkema, J., Kerstholt, M. & Merks , R. M. H.Multivariable Mechano-biochemical Perturbations of Developing Vascular Networks Within Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane, S79-S79. Padmanaban, P., Salehi-Nik, N. & Rouwkema, J.Bone fixation techniques for managing joint disorders and injuries: A review study, Article 104982. Farjam, P., Hekman, E. E. G., Rouwkema, J. & Verkerke, G. J.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104982Biomimetic Calcium Phosphate Coatings Applied to Polyurethane Substrates. Farjam, P., Verkerke, G. J., Hekman, E. E. G. & Rouwkema, J.

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University of Twente

Horst Complex (building no. 20), room W106
De Horst 2
7522 LW Enschede
Netherlands

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