Microfluidic and 3D bioprinting routes for the development of macrophage encapsulation systems based on hybrid gellan and fibrin hydrogels

• Grant number: 20/02313-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): July 18, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal researcher: Lucimara Gaziola de la Torre
• Grantee: Ana Leticia Rodrigues Costa Lelis
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/20206-8 - Modulation of monocytes, macrophages and pericytes by the colony stimulating factor genes to treat murine limb ischemia, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/00145-8 - Integration of microfluidics and 3D bioprinting technologies for the development of macrophage encapsulation systems based on gellan gum and fibrin hydrogels, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

This research project aims to develop cell delivery systems based on biocompatible polymeric matrices by microfluidic technology and 3D bioprinting. A systematic study will evaluate the potential of gellan gum and fibrin to form hybrid hydrogels in order to act as macrophage encapsulation systems, attending their structural and biological needs. The development of hybrid hydrogels is a strategy to overcome the limitations associated with the use of natural polymers, integrating their physical, chemical and biological advantages, and enhances the hydrogel's mechanical performance. In the first step, the composition of the hybrid hydrogels for encapsulating the macrophages will be determined. The dripping method will be used to obtain hydrogels by different gelling methods to be further characterized in terms of their physical, chemical, and biological properties. In the second step, microfluidic technology and 3D bioprinting will be used as new technological routes for obtaining biopolymeric matrices, microgels and scaffolds. These techniques allow us to precisely control process, leading to the production hydrogels with more controlled size, shape, morphology, and size polydispersity than conventional gelation methods and with high cell encapsulation efficiency. The execution of this project aims to overcome some challenges associated with the use of conventional hydrogels, using biopolymers and little-explored technologies for the production of attractive bio-structures and their application in cell therapy. (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)

DIAS MEIRELLES, AURELIANO AGOSTINHO; RODRIGUES COSTA, ANA LETICIA; MICHELON, MARIANO; VIGANO, JULIANE; CARVALHO, MARCIO S.; CUNHA, ROSIANE LOPES. Microfluidic approach to produce emulsion-filled alginate microgels. Journal of Food Engineering, v. 315, FEB 2022. (19/07744-1, 17/18109-0, 20/15774-5, 20/02313-0, 11/06083-0)

GOMES, ANDRESA; COSTA, ANA LETICIA RODRIGUES; RODRIGUES, PAMELA DIAS; CASTRO, RUANN JANSER SOARES DE; SILVA, ERIC KEVEN. Sonoprocessing of freshly squeezed orange juice: Ascorbic acid content, pectin methylesterase activity, rheological properties and cloud stability. FOOD CONTROL, v. 131, JAN 2022. (19/26348-0, 20/02313-0)

RODRIGUES COSTA, ANA LETICIA; GOMES, ANDRESA; CANGUSSU, LAIS BRITO; CUNHA, ROSIANE LOPES; DE OLIVEIRA, LEANDRO SOARES; FRANCA, ADRIANA SILVA. tabilization mechanisms of O/W emulsions by cellulose nanocrystals and sunflower protei. Food Research International, v. 152, FEB 2022. (19/26348-0, 20/02313-0)