Multi-user equipment approved in the grant 2018/13492-2: rheometer and accessories

• Grant number: 22/13203-6
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Henrique Catalani
• Grantee: Luiz Henrique Catalani
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/13492-2 - Synthetic and natural scaffolds applied to regenerative medicine, AP.TEM

Abstract

This project has as its general goal the development of scaffolds for cellular growth from novel polymer systems, aiming at applications in biomedical engineering, especially in the area of regenerative medicine. We propose the combination of the efforts of specialists from various areas toward a multi- and interdisciplinary approach, in the solution of problems involving the control of several fundamental properties of the materials here used in the generation of artificial tissues. Hence, this project proposes the generation of scaffolds that exhibits chemical, physical and biological stimuli, aimed at the control of cellular responses, such as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Among the chemical stimuli, we propose the functionalization of the surfaces with layer-by-layer systems, to include protein signaling molecules, as well as the use of decellularized and fractions of a digested extracellular matrix in the production of hybrid scaffolds. As physical stimuli, we propose the study of scaffolds produced with conducting polymers and magnetic nanoparticles, to examine how they can control the various biological events, and what mechanisms are involved. Also, we intend to add to the associated laboratories with last generation processing techniques, such as electrospinning and 3D printing, allowing picturing the role of morphology in biological events. To make the best use of these processing techniques, we propose the study of novel materials, with thermoset and photo-curing properties. In this way, it is necessary to provide adequate microscopic techniques capable of producing mechanical and conductive analyzes of the surfaces thus generated. The essence of the project is the integration of distinct but complementary approaches to understanding the complex relationship between material, architecture and cellular response. (AU)