What does it take to develop an innovation that could one day change a patient’s life?
Often years of research, countless experiments, collaboration between experts from different fields, and a great deal of courage and perseverance.
At this year’s Brain4Industry Summit 2026, one of our keynote speakers, Markéta Hujerová, who has been working in the field of tissue engineering for many years, gave us a glimpse into this fascinating world.
Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that brings together the expertise of scientists, physicians, biochemists, materials engineers, and many other specialists. All with one important goal: to develop solutions that can find real applications in medicine and help patients.
Markéta also shared specific examples of how research in this field is progressing.
These ranged from the development of organs-on-chips, which make it possible to study selected functions of human tissues under laboratory conditions, to nanofiber patches designed to reinforce surgical connections in the digestive tract.
Nanofibers, in particular, hold significant potential in tissue engineering. Their structure can mimic the natural extracellular matrix, creating a suitable environment for interactions with cells. However, it is not just the structure that matters. Material composition, biocompatibility, and, in some cases, the ability to gradually biodegrade within the body are equally important.
3D printing also plays a role in this field, for example in the production of scaffolds – structures that can provide support for cell growth and the formation of new tissue.
But developing an innovative solution is one thing. Bringing it out of the laboratory and into real-world practice, where it can truly make a difference, is often a much greater challenge.
And this is where Markéta offered another important perspective. She is not only a researcher but also an entrepreneur working to turn research findings into solutions that can be put to practical use.
As she explained, the journey from an initial idea to a practical application can take many years. And beyond the technical challenges, it often involves overcoming obstacles that have little to do with the research itself.
In her experience, people in the Czech Republic still hear far too often why something cannot be done, rather than working together to find a way to make it happen.
And that is exactly what she wants to change. To encourage the courage to innovate, pursue entrepreneurship, and venture into the unknown.
“UNCERTAINTY? IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY.”
A message that, in our view, perfectly captures not only Markéta’s approach but also what meaningful innovation truly requires.
Because sometimes, you have to keep moving forward. Even when you don’t yet know what lies ahead.
We would like to thank Markéta for her inspiring keynote and for reminding us that behind every innovation are, above all, people – their determination and their desire to make things better.
