As with last year, alongside the main celebration of Research at the Central Square in front of the NTUA Library and Information Center, visitors will also have the unique opportunity to tour selected School Laboratories.

The core mission of the European Researchers’ Night is to highlight the invaluable work of researchers and their vital role in both science and society. This event showcases NTUA’s research output to Greek society and the international community, bringing together thousands of visitors. For just one day, guests can explore groundbreaking innovative achievements from all NTUA Schools, as well as participating Universities, Research Centers across Attica, and local schools. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with scientists through live experimental demonstrations, computational simulations, educational activities, competitions, and various surprise performances.

With a distinguished 37-year history, ICCS and its Research Units excel in developing innovative solutions that advance sustainability and bolster social progress. Our ongoing research initiatives focus on tackling modern global challenges, paving the way for a more resilient and environmentally responsible future.

For more details, schedules, and continuous updates, please visit the official NTUA Researchers’ Night Event Page.

The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity, with over 500,000 members across 200 countries. The IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, counting more than 17,000 members worldwide, fosters research, education, and global collaboration in the fields of antennas, wave propagation, and telecommunications.

Professor Nikita serves as the Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, a premier peer-reviewed journal in the field, and was the founding Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation.

This prominent distinction honors her long-standing, multi-faceted contributions to the international scientific community. Furthermore, it highlights the continuous presence and active engagement of both NTUA and ICCS within world-class scientific and technological institutions.

The ceremony was attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Konstantinos An. Tasoulas, as well as distinguished representatives of Greece’s political, institutional, and business communities.

This distinction represents a significant achievement for the innovation ecosystem of ICCS and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). PhosPrint was established as an ICCS spin-off and has developed a groundbreaking in vivo laser bioprinting platform, based on the scientific vision and research excellence of its co-founders, Ioanna Zergioti and Apostolos Klinakis, combined with the entrepreneurial expertise of Maria Pallidou and Theo Kotseroglou.

The award comes at a pivotal moment for the company, as it launches its first clinical trial in humans. The study, conducted in collaboration with Laiko General Hospital and G. Gennimatas General Hospital, is among the very few Phase I clinical trials currently taking place in Greece and marks an important milestone in translating cutting-edge research into clinical practice.

This achievement highlights the growing impact of Greek research and innovation and demonstrates the potential of deep-tech entrepreneurship emerging from academic institutions to address global healthcare challenges.

The award was presented by the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Giorgos Kotsiras.

ICCS warmly congratulates the entire PhosPrint team on this remarkable accomplishment and wishes them continued success in their mission to transform pioneering scientific research into solutions with global societal impact.

The agreement lays the groundwork for leveraging data generated through the Municipality’s smart city infrastructure, developed under the project “Smart City Actions in the Municipality of Kallithea”, which is being implemented within the framework of the national “Smart Cities” initiative and funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility “Greece 2.0”. The partnership also creates opportunities for the design and implementation of joint research, development, and innovation activities aimed at promoting sustainable urban development and enhancing citizens’ quality of life.

During the signing ceremony, the Mayor of Kallithea, Mr. Kostas Askounis, highlighted the importance of geospatial data, digital technologies, and innovative applications in shaping more sustainable, resilient, and citizen-centered cities. Representing ICCS, Director Emeritus Professor Ioannis Psarras presented the Institute’s extensive experience and long-standing contribution to national and European research and development projects in the fields of digital technologies, smart cities, and innovation.

Through this new partnership, ICCS further strengthens its role as a leading research organization, actively bridging cutting-edge research with the evolving needs of local communities and supporting the development of innovative solutions that generate tangible social and economic impact.

The investment will support the company’s first-in-human clinical trial of its InvivoLPrint-U platform – the world’s first bioprinter designed to reconstruct bladder tissue directly inside the patient’s body during surgery.

Founded in 2019 as a spin-off of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS), PhosPrint emerged from years of research conducted at the School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences under the supervision of Professor Ioanna Zergioti.

Each year, more than 150,000 patients worldwide are candidates for bladder removal (cystectomy) due to cancer. Current reconstructive procedures rely on intestinal tissue and are frequently associated with serious complications, including infections, adverse events, and significant deterioration in quality of life. PhosPrint’s innovation enables urologists to create a fully functional neobladder without these side effects by printing the patient’s own healthy cells directly onto the tissue during surgery.

A Milestone: The First Clinical Trial

Ioanna Zergioti, co-founder and CEO of PhosPrint, told Capital.gr and Forbes Greece that the investment represents a strong vote of confidence in both the technology and the team. According to her, the funding brings the company closer to completing its first clinical trial—a critical milestone, as demonstrating product safety is a prerequisite for attracting follow-on investment.

The capital will primarily be allocated to cover the substantial costs associated with conducting a first-in-human clinical study. Part of the funding will also support the maintenance and expansion of the company’s patented technology portfolio, a process that is both complex and capital-intensive.

Approval by EMA and EOF

A defining development has been the approval of the first clinical trial by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the National Organization for Medicines (EOF). As Zergioti explained, the evaluation process was particularly demanding because the product is classified as a combination therapy, integrating cell therapy with laser-based medical device technology. Notably, the regulatory submission exceeded 7,000 pages.

The trial will be conducted in collaboration with Laiko General Hospital of Athens and Gennimatas General Hospital of Athens, involving specialized medical teams from leading urology departments. According to Zergioti, this is one of the few Phase I studies currently being implemented in Greece – particularly for such an innovative product – underscoring the significance of the initiative.

Despite Greece’s high scientific standards, Phase I trials remain limited in number, as they require substantial risk-taking, complex coordination, and adequate funding. As she noted, the country is still in the early stages of development in this field.

Future Applications and International Expansion

Strategically, PhosPrint is continuing its research beyond bladder applications, with cartilage regeneration identified as the next clear priority. Other potential applications, including skin tissue, are also under evaluation, though no final decisions have yet been made.

International expansion will be essential for the next funding round. The second and third phases of clinical trials will require collaboration with additional hospitals abroad, as well as access to capital markets outside Greece.

The company estimates that commercial availability of the product could be achieved in approximately four years, provided that all three phases of clinical trials are successfully completed.

Secondary Products and Revenue Diversification

In parallel, PhosPrint is exploring additional revenue streams through secondary products derived from its research activities.

The company’s team currently comprises around 15 members, including external collaborators and advisors. Alongside Ioanna Zergioti, the co-founders include Dr. Apostolos Klinakis (Clinical Director) and Maria Pallidou (CFO).

Source: Forbes Greece

This distinction reflects NTUA’s overall performance across key areas, including quality of education, research activity, international engagement, and the institution’s connection with society and the economy.

The ranking is based on quality criteria grouped into five sections, from which each institution selects three for evaluation:

• continuous improvement of core academic activities,
• research excellence and performance,
• engagement with society, the labor market, and knowledge utilisation,
• internationalisation,
• quality of the university environment.

In all evaluated areas, NTUA not only achieved the highest scores among Greek higher-education institutions but also recorded improvements compared to the previous year, notably in the area of societal engagement and knowledge transfer.

The Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS), as a principal research institute of NTUA and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, plays a substantial role in maintaining the University’s consistently high ranking. ICCS’s contribution is evident in the generation of high-quality scientific knowledge, participation in competitive national and international research projects, and technology transfer and innovation activities that benefit society and the economy.

Professor Ioannis K. Chatzigeorgiou, Rector of NTUA, expressed his congratulations to all members of NTUA’s academic community for their dedication and contribution to this achievement, highlighting that the ranking reflects the high quality standards that characterise the University across education, research and academic excellence.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all – NTUA’s faculty, researchers, students, and administrative staff for their dedication and contributions to this remarkable achievement. ICCS remains committed to upholding the highest standards of academic and research excellence, ensuring that NTUA continues to set new benchmarks in education and innovation.

Transforming Regenerative Surgery

Each year, more than 150,000 patients worldwide are eligible for bladder removal (cystectomy) due to cancer. Current reconstructive surgeries rely on intestinal tissue and often cause severe side effects such as infections, metabolic complications, and reduced quality of life. PhosPrint’s innovation enables Urologists to create a fully functional, side-effect-free neobladder through the printing of a patient’s own healthy bladder cells directly onto tissue during surgery. In extensive pre-clinical studies in pigs, this approach restored normal bladder function with none of the known complications of conventional orthotopic neobladder surgery.

“Current surgical approaches of bladder cancer seriously downgrade patients’ quality of life” said Professor Ioanna Zergioti, CEO of PhosPrint. “Our InvivoLPrint-U innovation eliminates the side effects of current surgical options, offering patients a fully functional, side-effect-free neobladder. This investment brings us one step closer to the clinic and to transforming the field of regenerative medicine”.

Co-founder Dr. Apostolos Klinakis (Clinical Director) and Maria Pallidou (CFO) highlight the platform’s versatility which extends beyond bladder reconstruction, and is applicable in numerous indications including cartilage and heart repair, addressing multi-billion-euro global markets.

Backed by leading investors

“PhosPrint is breaking new ground at the intersection of bioprinting, laser technology, and regenerative medicine”, said Dr. Stefanos Capsaskis, Partner at Corallia Ventures. “We are proud to back a world-class team whose breakthrough platform has the potential to redefine outcomes for millions of patients worldwide”.

Dr.  Lars Rasmussen added: “I’m beyond proud to be backing Ioanna and her talented team! PhosPrint has likely invented the first successful bladder replacement procedure, which will likely be the first approved surgical procedure involving a bioprinter. And that’s just the beginning of what their impressive technology has in store!”

Next steps and global potential

The newly secured funds will enable PhosPrint to:

• Complete its first-in-human trial application this year;
• Launch patient trials in 2026 at leading European hospitals;
• Expand its team of biologists, engineers, and regulatory experts;
• Develop benchtop bioprinters for R&D labs as an early revenue stream starting in 2026.

The company is targeting EMA and FDA approval by 2029, with initial market entry planned in Europe and the US.

About PhosPrint

Founded in 2019 as a spinoff of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), PhosPrint develops cutting-edge in vivo laser bioprinting solutions for tissue repair. Its flagship platform, InvivoLPrint-U, enables the direct printing of live autologous cells during surgery, offering unprecedented outcomes in bladder reconstruction and beyond. With 5 patent families, proprietary manufacturing know-how, and a team of leading scientists in laser physics, biomedical engineering, and clinical research, PhosPrint is shaping the future of regenerative medicine.

For more info visit: www.phosprint.eu/

The project develops five pilots that showcase AI across the energy landscape:
1️⃣ Smart Grids in Portugal: Advancing fault detection and resilience with AI-driven digital twins of the transmission system.
2️⃣ Microgrids in Spain: Predictive maintenance to keep renewable energy equipment reliable and efficient.
3️⃣ Hydrogen & Hybrid Energy Systems in France, Spain, and Italy: Optimizing electrolysers and hybrid plants through AI-powered digital twins.
4️⃣ Buildings in Latvia: Enhancing energy efficiency in residential complexes with AI-driven building digital twins.
5️⃣ Energy Communities in Italy: Improving the performance of local renewable energy communities through AI experimentation.

DSS Lab assumes the technical coordination of the Latvian pilot 4, where AI-powered digital twins are applied to multi-apartment residential buildings in Riga. By combining real consumption data with advanced modelling, the pilot explores how to optimize heating, cooling, and overall energy use in everyday living spaces. The aim is to demonstrate measurable efficiency gains and cost savings for residents, while contributing directly to Europe’s climate and digital transition goals. EFI-DSS tool developed by DSS Lab will play a key role in this process. More information on EFI-DSS can be found here.

Also, DSS Lab coordinates the Portuguese Pilot 1, where a digital twin of the country’s transmission system will be used along with forecasts of energy production and consumption. These forecasts will be provided by DeepTSF, which is an automated codeless forecasting application based on AI / ML algorithms, and developed by DSS Lab. The goal is to use these forecasts to validate energy market results while increasing efficiency and decreasing the imbalances of the grid. More information on DeepTSF can be found here.

The EnergyGuard project is co-funded by the Horizon Europe Programme of the European Union under grant agreement No. 101172705. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

EnergyGuard brings together five large-scale laboratories and Meluxina (Europe’s greenest high-performance computer) into a unified service. The result is a one-stop platform where startups, SMEs, and researchers can develop, test, and certify AI solutions in realistic conditions without real-world risks.

As coordinator, DSS Lab steers a pan-European consortium into a single, service-oriented facility. The network spans Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Latvia, with each site offering unique assets — from grid-scale digital twins and hydrogen production lines to microgrids and Soviet-era apartment blocks. A curated catalogue of digital twins, datasets, models, and APIs makes these resources accessible through a common cloud portal.

Complementing the physical labs is the Meluxina supercomputer in Luxembourg, powered entirely by renewable energy. Developers can scale simulations across thousands of CPU and GPU cores while maintaining a transparent carbon footprint. Preconfigured container workspaces with open-source libraries give even small teams access to petascale computing, with results delivered in minutes.

For innovators, the benefits are clear: dramatically shorter development cycles, lower capital expenditure and a structured path to compliance with the forthcoming EU AI Act. The TEF’s Acceptance Environment measures algorithms against a comprehensive risk database, covering cybersecurity threats, data bias, functional safety and more. Passing solutions receive a digital badge that signals trustworthiness to investors, customers and regulators alike.

Looking ahead, DSS Lab will use its role as coordinator to seed pilot projects, open new datasets, and mentor early-stage companies. By combining world-class infrastructure with transparent governance, EnergyGuard aims to position Europe as the go-to market for responsible, high-impact energy AI.

👉 Call to innovators: AI startups, researchers, and technology providers can request access or subscribe to updates at EnergyGuard TEF Project.

The EnergyGuard project is co-funded by the Horizon Europe Programme of the European Union under grant agreement No. 101172705. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The Koropi premises feature state-of-the-art office spaces and cutting-edge research labs, dedicated primarily to Industry 5.0 applications and the testing of pioneering innovations. These new facilities will empower our researchers, fostering creativity, collaboration, and the development of groundbreaking technologies that push the frontiers of science and engineering.

The opening celebration was led by Dr. Angelos Amditis, Research and Development Director of ICCS and Director of I-SENSE, who welcomed attendees and shared his vision for the future. Short speeches were given by Prof. John Psarras (ICCS’s Director), Professor P.Tsanakas (Dean of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineerings/NTUA) who backed the effort, Dr. Giannis Karaseitanidis (I-SENSE Technical Director) and Dr. Georgios Tsimiklis (Research TMAT) whose commitment, hard work, and hands-on involvement were crucial in bringing the new premises to life. Everyone highlighted how important this new space is for the Greek research community.

Beyond a significant achievement for ICCS, the Koropi site represents a landmark development for NTUA and the broader academic ecosystem. It will also host the innovative activities of CogniSensus, a dynamic new spin-off of ICCS. Born from years of intensive research by the I-SENSE group, CogniSensus is set to revolutionize sensing, data modeling, visualization, and actuation technologies. These solutions aim to enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, and training in complex environments.

This expansion marks a pivotal milestone for ICCS, laying the foundation for continued excellence, innovation, and societal impact in the years to come.