Biofabrication and Tissue Engineering applied in the development of osteoconductive and pharmacological three-dimensional matrices to obtain bone implants

• Grant number: 23/11076-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Laís Pellizzer Gabriel
• Grantee: Laís Pellizzer Gabriel
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The biofabrication of bone tissues represents an attractive strategy for obtaining implants when compared with current strategies, which use allogeneic or autogenous grafts due to problems related to the availability of donors, their compatibility, and risks of disease transmission of associated diseases. This strategy allows surgical planning and the production of implants in three-dimensional matrices with a complex, non-homogeneous, multi-layered structure, similar to native bone. Current bone implants are produced using advanced tissue engineering (TE) techniques. In this technique, biorreabsorbable matrices are used to support cell growth under controlled conditions, being implanted in patients with the aim of repairing the damaged tissue. After a certain time, the matrices are reabsorbed by the body and replaced by repaired tissues. One of the main approaches of bioprinting is the use of hydrogels based mainly on gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and cells. However, hydrogels have low mechanical strength. Bone applications, which require greater mechanical resistance, have explored the combination of hydrogels with synthetic polymers, in order to obtain implants with mechanical resistance and cellular compatibility. In addition, an interesting strategy to mimic bone tissue is the coating of three-dimensional implants with membranes obtained by the rotary jet spinning technique containing particles of interest. This research project aims to produce three-dimensional biorreabsorbable implants with osteoconductive properties and controlled drug release. For this purpose, customized bioprinted polymeric matrices covered with bioactive membranes will be produced. The expectation is to explore the membrane-matrix interface and biological responses for bone tissue repair. After processing, the properties of controlled release of drugs will be evaluated, the morphologies, porosities, chemical composition, thermal and degradation will be tested. There will also be an in vitro biological evaluation regarding cell viability, proliferation, morphology, differentiation assay and immunostaining. All tests will take place according to ASTM F2150. At the end of the project, it is expected to develop the knowledge in the production of bioinks, processing bioprinted matrices and bioactive membranes and obtaining customized biorreabsorbable implants for bone applications, resulting in reduced rehabilitation times, providing patients with a better quality of life. This project will be developed at the Laboratory of Science and Technology of Polymers (LPol) of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at UNICAMP, and will make use of the rotary jet spinning equipment and the bioprinter previously obtained in the projects regular FAPESP #2017/ 13273-6 and #2020/07923-0, respectively. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RODRIGUES, ISABELLA CAROLINE PEREIRA; PEREIRA, KARINA DANIELLE; LUCHESSI, AUGUSTO DUCATI; LOPES, EDER SOCRATES NAJAR; GABRIEL, LAIS PELLIZZER. Osteoconductive composite membranes produced by rotary jet spinning bioresorbable PLGA for bone regeneration. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION, v. N/A, p. 14-pg., 2024-07-27. (20/07923-0, 20/14679-9, 23/11076-0)