INLer Simão Teixeira Recognised With The ON/TERMIS Education Grant 2026

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is proud to announce that postdoctoral researcher Simão Teixeira has been selected as one of the recipients of the ON Foundation/TERMIS Education Grant 2026 a prestigious award recognising early-stage researchers making a meaningful contribution to the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Working within the Domingues Research Group at INL, Simão’s research focuses on developing “plastic antibodies” – custom-designed nanoparticles that recognise specific proteins and help guide stem cell behaviour. By combining these smart materials with magnetic technologies in tissue-mimicking 3D structures, his research advances regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal disorders, particularly tendon injuries and chronic degenerative conditions.

His winning submission, the abstract “Mapping PIEZO Mechanotransduction with Submolecular-Precision Nanoswitches”, was accompanied by a motivation letter and a letter of recommendation from his Research Group Leader, forming a compelling case for his selection.

The grant comes with an award of €500 to cover registration, accommodation, and travel costs, enabling Simão to attend and present at the TERMIS-EU Conference 2026, to be held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, from 21 to 24 April. As one of the foremost gatherings in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, the conference brings together leading researchers and clinicians to share their research advances. This year, the programme of event will fall under the theme “Accelerating multidisciplinary innovation to close the gap in clinical translation”.

For Simão, the recognition represents a significant milestone. In his own words: “The conference will allow me to gain exposure to cutting-edge fundamental and translational advances, helping to refine my current research and to shape future directions as I continue to build my independent research profile.”

The awarding body, ON Foundation (Orthoregeneration Network), is an independent non-profit organisation established in 2018 with the mission of advancing research and discovery in orthopedic tissue regeneration. Through a range of scholarships and fellowships, the Foundation supports both early-career researchers and established clinician-scientists in driving the field forward.

Simão’s achievement is a testament to both the exceptional calibre of the research community at INL and the institution’s sustained commitment to nurturing scientific talent. Through dedicated mentorship, collaborative infrastructure, and a culture of excellence, INL continues to create the conditions for its researchers to thrive, and to earn international recognition.