Formulation of Hydrogel Collagen Methacrylate Extracted from Tilapia Skin: Applications in Periodontal and Dentin-Pulp Complex Regeneration

• Grant number: 24/19939-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Materials
• Principal Investigator: Diana Gabriela Soares dos Passos
• Grantee: Diana Gabriela Soares dos Passos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Carlos Alberto de Souza Costa ; Guilherme Ferreira da Silva ; Gustavo Gonçalves do Prado Manfredi ; Juliano Milanezi de Almeida ; Luciano Tavares Angelo Cintra ; Vitor de Toledo Stuani

Abstract

The development of biomaterials from natural and renewable sources for biomedical applications has grown as a cost-effective strategy with significant therapeutic potential. In this context, the use of collagen derived from fish skin appears as a promising strategy for the fabrication of materials for tissue regeneration. This project proposes the establishment of an extraction and fabrication route for methacrylated collagen (ColMA), extracted from Nile tilapia skin, as a widely accessible source of collagen with bioactive potential, which can be applied in tissue regeneration strategies in the field of Dentistry. The guiding idea is to establish the manufacturing route in Phase 1, followed by an extensive physicochemical and rheological characterization of the formulated hydrogel (Phase 2). Subsequently, biological characterization of the hydrogel will be conducted in in vitro models with direct contact with different cell lines, in order to observe the bioactive potential of the formulated ColMA with applications for bone regeneration, connective tissue grafts, dentin repair, and pulp regeneration. To this end, a screening of concentrations of the photoactivated hydrogel will be performed, with several cellular parameters evaluated (Phase 3). In the next stage (Phase 4), the hydrogel will be 3D-printed using an extrusion-based bioprinter, aiming to propose the use of the biomaterial as a macro-porous scaffold for bone and connective tissue defect regeneration. In Phase 5, the injectable and 3D-printed biomaterials will be evaluated in on-a-chip models to test their potential as a cell-homing platform for the proposed regenerations, and to refine the selection of formulations. Finally, in the last stage (Phase 6), the selected formulations will be evaluated in in vivo models for the specific application of the formulated biomaterials. (AU)