Program Highlights

FIRST PLEVEN SYMPOSIUM OF

REGENERATIVE AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE

16 – 18 April 2026 | Pleven, Bulgaria

Symposium Chairmen:  Thomas Groth  ·     George Altankov

THURSDAY

16 April 2026

9:00 – 11:00

Registration

11:00 – 11:30

Official Opening Ceremony

Opening Speakers

Prof. Dobromir Dimitrov – Rector, Medical University – Pleven, BG

Prof. George Altankov – Medical University – Pleven, BG

Prof. Thomas Groth – Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, DE

PLENARY LECTURE I

11:30 – 12:30

Speaking the Body's Language: Glyco-Functionalized Biomaterial Systems as Orchestrators of Regenerative Host Responses (Plenary)

Abhay Pandit  ·     University of Galway, IE

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch Break

SESSION I  ·     Bioactive Materials & Cells I

 Chairperson: Abhay Pandit

14:00 – 14:30

Polysaccharide-based bioactive films for directing cell activity in regenerative medicine (Keynote)

Thomas Groth  ·     Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, DE

14:30 – 15:00

Elastin-Inspired Biomaterials: From Molecular Microstructure to Translational Scaffolds (Keynote)

Christian Schmelzer  ·     Fraunhofer IMWS Halle, DE

15:00 – 15:30

Polymeric Biomaterials: Versatile Systems for Multiple Medical Applications (Keynote)

María Rosa Aguilar de Armas  ·     ICTP – Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, Madrid, ES

15:30 – 16:00

Characterization of Stem Cell–Secretome-Integrated Hybrid PLCL Nanofibers: Implications for Regenerative Medicine (Keynote)

George Altankov  ·     Medical University Pleven, BG

16:00 – 16:30

Coffee Break  

SESSION II  ·     Rapid Fire Poster Session

16:30 – 17:10

Rapid Fire Poster Presentations  (5 min each)

P-01

Histological Analysis of 3D Collagen Type I/II Constructs Displays Cartilage-Like Tissue Formation In Vitro.

Cvetan Popov, Dept. of Anatomy, Histology, Cytology & Biology · Medical University Pleven, BG

P-02

Poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) Ionogels Synthesized via Direct Mixing: Emerging Drug Delivery Platforms.

Denitsa Nikolova, Laboratory on Structure and Properties of Polymers, Faculty of Chemistry & Pharmacy · Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski', Sofia, BG

P-03

Beta Cell Regeneration During Long-Term Metformin Treatment in a HFD/STZ Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes.

Plamena Panayotova, Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology · Medical University Pleven, BG

P-04

Circulating Histone Signatures in Plasma Reveal Distinct Profiles Across Solid Tumors and Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

 Desislava K. Tsoneva, Medical University-Varna, Varna, Bulgaria;

P-05

Establishing an Optimized Protocol for Isolation and Culture of Wharton's Jelly–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells toward Comparative Secretome Studies in Normal and Preeclamptic Pregnancies.

Rebecca. Caiulo, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Hospital 'Dr. Georgi Stranski', Pleven, BG 

P-06

Paracrine Signals from B-Cell Neoplasms Induce Reprogramming Toward a Cancer-Associated Phenotype in Stem Cells.

Tanya Stoyanova, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, BAS, Sofia, BG

P-07

MicroRNA Profiling in Metastatic Melanoma.

Iliyan Dimitrov Pochileev, Dept. of Medical Genetics · Medical University Sofia, BG

P-08

Secretome-based bioactive dressing for wound regeneration and improved scar quality in the Wistar rat model.

Iren Bogeva-Tsolova, Department of Surgical Diseases, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Cytology, and Biology, Medical University Pleven, BG

SESSION III  ·     Medical Application of Advanced Biomaterials

 Chairperson: María Rosa Aguilar de Armas

17:10 – 17:30

Innovative Biomaterials and Emerging Biotechnologies in Wound Healing: Insights from a Surgeon

Pencho Tonchev  ·     Medical University Pleven, BG

17:30 – 17:50

Paracrine Effects of Buccal Fat Pad–Derived Dedifferentiated Fat Cells on Bone and Cartilage Regeneration

Svilen Angelov  ·     Medical School Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, DE

17:50 – 18:10

A Translational Framework for Regeneration of Inferior Turbinate Erectile Tissue Using Injectable 3D Macroporous Hydrogel Scaffolds

Boyan Donev  ·     Hopewell Foundation, Sofia, BG

18:30 – 21:00

🥂 Get-Together Welcome Party | Foyer, Ambroise Paré Lecture Hall

FRIDAY

17 April 2026

SESSION IV  ·     Advanced Biomaterials & Cells II

 Chairperson: Thomas Groth

9:00 – 9:30

Hyaluronan – A Simple Glycosaminoglycan with Multiple Functions (Keynote)

Iva Pashkuleva  ·     3Bs Research Group, University of Minho, PT

9:30 – 10:00

Therapeutic siRNA-Guided Differentiation and Crosstalk in Bone Regeneration (Keynote)

Michaela Schulz-Siegmund  ·     University of Leipzig, DE

10:00 – 10:30

Biomimetic Microgels in Tissue Regeneration and Disease Models

Jose Luis Gomez Ribelles  ·     Polytechnical University of Valencia, ES

10:30 – 11:00

3D Bioprinting – High Hopes for Tissue Repair  (Keynote)

Victoria Sarafyan  ·  Medical University Plovdiv, BG

11:00 – 11:30

Coffee Break

PLENARY LECTURE II

11:30 – 12:30

Biomaterials with Distinct Levels of Cell Contents (Plenary)

João Mano  ·     University of Aveiro, PT

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch Break ★ Poster Session

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

14:00 – 14:20

Competence Center 'Leonardo da Vinci': A Platform for Regenerative Medicine, Innovation, and Technology Transfer

Dobromir Dimitrov  ·     Rector, Medical University Pleven, BG

SESSION V  ·     Mechanobiology & Stem Cells

 Chairperson: George Altankov

14:20 – 14:50

Mechano-Chemical Information in Cells and Emergent Properties in Multicellular Organisms (Keynote)

Yannis Missirlis  ·     Aristotele University of Thessaloniki, GR

14:50 – 15:20

Translating Tendon Biology into Regenerative Therapies (Keynote)

Denitsa Docheva  ·     University of Würzburg, DE

15:20 – 15:40

Uncovering the Biological Properties of Dental-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Nikolay Ishkitiev  ·     Medical University Sofia, BG 

15:40 – 16:00

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Interactions with Glycated Collagen: Adhesion Dynamics, Mechanotransduction, and Matrix Remodeling

Regina Komsa-Penkova  ·     Medical University Pleven, BG

16:00 – 16:30

Coffee Break ★ Poster Session

SESSION VI  ·     Stem Cells, Bioprinting & Regenerative Therapies

 Chairperson: Victoria Sarafyan

16:30 – 16:50

Divergent Mitochondrial Responses to Palmitate-Induced Lipotoxic Stress: Image-Based Analysis of Network Dynamics and Membrane Potential in Two Main Adipose Tissue-Derived Cell Types

Antonina Gospodinova  ·     Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BG

16:50 – 17:10

A Multimodality Approach for the Treatment of High-Grade (III–IV) Burns: PRGF, Photobiomodulation, Cold Atmospheric Plasma

N. Tzaribashev  ·     Regenix, Sofia, BG

17:10 – 17:30

Regeneration of Critical Bone Defects Using Bioprinted MSCs in a Mouse Model

Despina Pupaki  ·     Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BG

17:30 – 17:50

Collagen Substrate Remodeling as a Tool to Assess Paracrine Signaling Between B Cell Neoplasms and Stem Cells.

Lora Topalova  ·  Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, BAS, Sofia, BG

17:50 – 18:10

Regenerative Strategies for Alopecia Using Platelet-Derived Exosomes

Radostin Aleksandrov  ·  Medical University Pleven, BG

20:30

🍽 Social Dinner | Hotel Balkan – 14th Floor, Panorama Restaurant

SATURDAY

18 April 2026

SESSION VII  ·     Bioprinting, Stem Cells & Regenerative Therapies

 Chairperson: Jose Luis Gomez Ribelles

9:00 – 9:30

Collagen Substrate Remodeling as a Tool to Assess Paracrine Signaling Between B Cell Neoplasms and Stem Cells. 

Lora Topalova  ·  Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, BAS, Sofia, BG

9:30 – 9:50

Material Design Strategies for Advanced Biofabrication

Murat Redzep  ·     Medical University Plovdiv, BG

9:50 – 10:10

3D-Printed Bioreactor as a Model System for Artificial Cartilage Tissue

Cvetan Popov  ·     Medical University Pleven, BG

10:10 – 10:30

IL-8 as a Marker for Early In Vitro Education of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines

García-Parra  ·     Polytechnic University of Valencia, ES

11:00 – 11:15

Closing Ceremony & Farewell

PRACTICAL COURSE  ·     Hands-On Techniques in Regenerative Medicine

11:30 – 13:00

Practical Course – Part I

G. Altankov  ·     Murat Redzep  ·  R. Komsa-Penkova

13:00 – 13:30

Basket Lunch  (10–15 participants)

13:30 – 18:00

Practical Course – Part II

G. Altankov  ·     Murat Redzep  ·  R. Komsa-Penkova

LEGEND

■ Plenary Lecture     ■ Session / Keynote Lecture     ■ Social Event / Break

P-09

Prostate cancer stem-like phenotype is associated with enhanced immune evasion and therapeutic resistance. 

Andrey Velichkov · Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia; 

P-10

Electrospun Nanofibers Enriched with Cryoprecipitate as Bioactive Cell-Adhesive Matrices for Personalized Regenerative Medicine. 

Borislav Dimitrov · Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry, MU-Pleven; Center of Competence in Personalized Medicine, 3D and Telemedicine, Robotic Assisted and Minimally Invasive Surgery - “Leonardo da Vinci”, Pleven, BG   

P-11

Astrocyte Metabolism and Their Role in Development of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Gaudia Aghanenu · Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov State University of Burgas, 1 Prof. Yakim Yakimov Blvd., Burgas, BG

P-12

In Situ UV-Initiated Synthesis and Characterization of Polysulfobetaine/BMIM Iongels for Biomedical Applications.

Konstans Ruseva · University/Institution: Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Faculty of chemistry and pharmacy, Sofia, BG

P-13

Polymer/Calcium Phosphates Hybrid Materials as Dental Restoratives:  An Exploratory Study.

Marin Simeonov · Laboratory on Structure and Properties of Polymers, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia, Sofia, BG

P-14

Assessment of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bioprinted mesenchymal stem cells in GelXA BONE and CELLINK BONE bioinks. 

Snejana Kestendjieva · Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, BG

P-15

Impact of post-translational collagen oxidation and glycation on mesenchymal stem cell interaction and matrix remodeling. 

Svetoslava Stoycheva · Medical University Pleven, Department of Biochemistry; Center of Competence in personalized medicine, 3D and telemedicine, robotic assisted and minimally invasive surgery at Medical University Pleven, BG

P-16

Application of Electrochemotherapy in 3d Bioprinted Colorectal Cancer Models - a Pilot Study. 

Tsvetomira Ivanova · Department of Medical Biology, Medical University- Plovdiv; Research Institute at Medical University-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, BG

P-17

A murine embryonic fibroblast model to study the etiology of Rahman syndrome.

Veliko Nikolov Kostadinov · Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, BG

P-18

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Jellyfish-Derived Biomaterial.

Violina Ivanova · Medical University Pleven, Department of Biochemistry; Center of Competence in Personalized Medicine, 3D and Telemedicine, Robotic Assisted and Minimally Invasive Surgery Project BG-RRP-2.004-0003, Medical University Pleven, BG

P-19

Applications of 3D Printing and Medical Image Segmentation in Surgical Planning and Training. 

Vladislav Hristov · Center of Competence in Personalized Medicine, 3D and Telemedicine, Robotic Assisted and Minimally Invasive Surgery – “Leonardo da Vinci”; Medical University Pleven, Pleven, BG

P-20

Application of Collagen-Based Bioinks for Chondrocyte Differentiation in 3D Bioprinted Human Stromal-Vascular Fraction (SVF) Cells – Comparative Gene Expression Analysis 

Yordan Sbirkov · Dept. of Dialysis Treatment, St George University Hospital, Plovdiv, BG     

P-21

Differential Caspase-1 Activation Induced by SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a Mutants Reveals Variant-Dependent Inflammasome Signaling in Human Endothelial Cells 

Yuliia Ilieva · Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, BAS, Sofia, BG, Medical University Pleven, BG

P-22

Optimizing AD-MSC Isolation from Lipoaspirates for Translational Medicine: A Comparative Pilot Study

Bozhidar Vergov  ·     Medical University Plovdiv, BG

P-23

Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Monitoring of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Cultures for Standardised Regenerative Medicine

Remon Hanna  ·  King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, GB