Dr Bart Spee

Dr. Spee has more than 15 years’ experience in Stem Cell Technology and Biofabrication, and is (co)author of over 70 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Following a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology on pathways of regeneration and fibrosis of liver diseases, he took up a position as post-doc at the department of pathology at the University of Leuven, Belgium, under guidance of prof. Tania Roskams. Here he used molecular tools and combined these with the vast tissue bank at the pathology department, resulting in an increased knowledge on the activation of the adult stem cells of the liver including its neoplastic offspring. After an internship at the Laboratory of Experimental Carcinogenesis (NIH, Bethesda, VS) with Dr. Thorgeirsson where he worked on cholangiocarcinoma’s, he returned to Utrecht University as an assistant professor. Currently he is investigating the use of stem cells, ranging from adult stem cells (organoids) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for functional recovery of liver diseases. One of the focus points is the creation of physiologically relevant in vitro liver models using biofabrication technology that can be used for drug toxicity testing and personalized medicine approaches. Another focus point is the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) such as bioengineered livers as an alternative to organ donation.