Petra de Graaf

Petra de Graaf serves as Assistant Professor at Utrecht University, leading the Regenerative Urology research group since 2014 under the Strategic Program for Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells. Her work focuses on developing tissue-engineered solutions for urethral reconstruction to address debilitating lower urinary tract symptoms and improve quality of life through innovative surgical approaches.

Her research centers on creating multi-layered, vascularized urethral tissues that mimic native structure while integrating corpus spongiosum support for mechanical resilience. She investigates fibrosis mechanisms, hypospadias management, and biomaterial applications to overcome challenges in patients with absent natural urethral support. Current work emphasizes translational pathways from laboratory to clinical implementation.

Recent publications reveal strong thematic continuity in urethral regeneration, with 80% of 2023-2024 outputs targeting hypospadias reconstruction techniques and fibrosis analysis. Her team consistently employs tissue engineering frameworks while expanding into bioprinting optimization and stent complication studies, demonstrating progressive technical sophistication.

Key recognitions include:

• Work Package 2 leadership in Horizon Europe's €925,135 STRONG-UR grant (2024-2027)
• Editorial board membership for Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio)

As STRONG-UR consortium lead, she directs international bioprinting research with Aalborg University while securing substantial Horizon Europe funding. Her group coordinates preclinical-to-clinical translation pathways without explicit mention of graduate student mentorship.

The Regenerative Urology Utrecht team operates within Utrecht University's regenerative medicine ecosystem, focusing on laboratory-grown tissue development for urethral reconstruction. Current projects integrate advanced bioprinting with vascularization strategies through the STRONG-UR consortium, targeting clinical implementation of next-generation regenerative solutions.