Antimicrobial scaffolds based on cellulose Sponge/Silver nanoparticles for tissue engineering applications

• Grant number: 15/23967-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2016
• End date: December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Hernane da Silva Barud
• Grantee: Thais Regina Bombarda
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Acadêmica. Universidade de Araraquara (UNIARA). Associação São Bento de Ensino. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Scaffold is a three-dimensional matrix used for tissue regeneration applicattions. Scaffolds can be simulating an extracellular matrix and regulating factors that promote conduction, differentiation, growth and tissue formation. An ideal scaffold for the tissue engineering must have adequate porosity, surface properties, good mechanical properties in order to recognize the requirements of the host tissue, thereby contributing to cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix formation. In recent years, cellulosic based-materials have been highlighted as scaffolds due to its peculiar properties. A particular focus can be given to regenerated cellulose. Regenareted cellulose has interesting properties such as biodegradability and biocompatibility. The numerous possibilities of chemical modification of cellulose added to the control processing from the so-called viscose process make this material is a promising scaffold. An important modification can be accomplished in a traditional scaffold to improve its functions and make it more efficient, it is to provide antimicrobial properties. Among the antimicrobial agents that can be added to the scaffold structure, silver (Ag) is the most promising. This project involves preparation and characterization of antimicrobial scaffolds based on regenerated cellulose modified with silver nanoparticles using hydrothermal process. Silver nanoparticles will be added in order to promote antimicrobial action to scaffolds. Hydrothermal process will be used because it is a "green" process for the synthesis of nanoparticles reduction. The regenerated cellulose/silver nanoparticles Antimicrobial scaffolds will be characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).Biological assays will be also considered, namely antibiogram involving gram positive and negative bacteria and cytotoxicity assay.