Theo Smit is professor of Translational Regenerative Medicine at Amsterdam UMC. He obtained an MSc in Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft, Netherlands (1989) and a PhD in Biomechanics at TU Hamburg-Harburg, Germany (1996). His research focuses on the role of mechanics in biology, more particular the mechanobiology of development and disease. The long-term goal of his research is to develop degradable implants to provide temporary mechanical support, so that tissues can regenerate and heal in a proper way after trauma or disease. In 2011, he spent a sabbatical year at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. Currently, Smit is involved in two start-ups from Amsterdam UMC: SupraVision and Injectable Implants.