The placenta represents a rich and undervalued resource in biomedical research. Although commonly discarded, the placenta is an abundant source of mesenchymal stem cells, characterized by their vast differentiation potential, immunomodulatory properties, and the absence of ethical issues associated with their harvesting and use. These characteristics make it an ideal candidate for applications in regenerative medicine.

Through Prometeo Nanolab, our joint laboratory with the University of Verona, we have undertaken the EMBRACE project with the goal of transforming the placenta into a valuable resource for regenerative medicine. Through the creation of one of the first placenta stem cell biobanks in Europe, the project aims to:

• Extract and store placenta stem cells.
• Make these cells available to national and international research laboratories.
• Exploit the therapeutic potential of placenta stem cells and their derivatives in various areas of regenerative medicine.

In addition, Prometheus NanoLab is engaged in the development of 3D printing technologies for the production of biopolymer structures for tissue regeneration. These applications extend to various fields of medicine, such as:

• Bone and cartilage reconstruction in orthopedics and maxillofacial surgery.
• Therapies for metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
• Cardiovascular and ophthalmic applications.

This multidisciplinary approach not only expands the capabilities of personalized medicine, but also offers new opportunities to treat complex diseases with tailored solutions, significantly advancing the field of regenerative medicine.

The project is currently at TRL level 4, indicating that laboratory validation of technologies and processes is underway.