Development of Polymeric Nanocomposites Applicable to Tissue Engineering

• Grant number: 13/25663-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Emerson Rodrigues de Camargo
• Grantee: Renata Lang Sala
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 15/07185-1 - Development of polymeric nanocomposites applicable to tissue engineering, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The regenerative medicine has been improving the cure expectation of several human diseases. In this sense, many studies have been focused in the development of biomaterial with similar properties of human living tissues. Among them, the injectable hydrogels can be applied in minimally invasive surgeries for potential regeneration and repair of spinal cord injuries. Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL) has attracted the attention mainly because it is thermo-sensitive, non-toxic and biocompatible. When combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), PNVCL can form a biocompatible hydrogels. In this sense, a promising alternative is the development of nanocomposites, which can associate the properties of hydrogels with the mechanical strength of bioactive ceramics, such as mesoporous silica nanofibers, and the radiopacity of ytterbium trifluoride nanoparticles (YbF3). With the addition of these fillers, it will be possible to improve the mechanical properties and monitor the implant in vivo. In this project, nanocomposites of PVPCL-PVA hydrogels and SiO2 nanofibers covered by YbF3 nanoparticles will be prepared by the simple mixture and by the in situ polymerization. The aim of this study is to obtain biocompatible materials applicable as scaffold for tissue engineering. Morphologies, structures, thermo-mechanical properties and the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the biomaterials will be evaluated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, small angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. Finally, the bioactivity of nanocomposites will be performed by the growth and the adhesion of cells.

Scientific publications

(4)

(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)

SALA, RENATA L.; KWON, MI Y.; KIM, MINWOOK; GULLBRAND, SARAH E.; HENNING, ELIZABETH A.; MAUCK, ROBERT L.; CAMARGO, EMERSON R.; BURDICK, JASON A.. Thermosensitive Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) Injectable Hydrogels for Cartilage Tissue Engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, v. 23, n. 17-18, p. 935-945, SEP 2017. (15/07185-1, 13/25663-2, 13/07296-2)

SALA, RENATA L.; GONCALVES, RICARDO H.; CAMARGO, EMERSON R.; LEITE, EDSON R.. Thermosensitive poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) as a transmission light regulator in smart windows. SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS, v. 186, p. 266-272, NOV 2018. (13/25663-2, 13/07296-2, 15/13958-3)

RIBEIRO, LUCAS S.; SALA, RENATA L.; DE JESUS, LETICIA A. O.; CRUZ, SANDRA A.; CAMARGO, EMERSON R.. Analyzing the Effects of Silica Nanospheres on the Sol-Gel Transition Profile of Thermosensitive Hydrogels. Langmuir, v. 37, n. 24, p. 7373-7379, JUN 22 2021. (13/25663-2, 18/12871-0, 13/07296-2, 14/09014-7)

SALA, RENATA L.; VENANCIO, TIAGO; CAMARGO, EMERSON R.. Probing the Structural Dynamics of the Coil-Globule Transition of Thermosensitive Nanocomposite Hydrogels. Langmuir, v. 37, n. 4, p. 1531-1541, FEB 2 2021. (15/13958-3, 13/07296-2, 13/25663-2)