Biological tissue mimicker using ex-egg chicken embryos for magnetic and acoustic measurements.

• Grant number: 23/15548-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2023
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Adilton Oliveira Carneiro
• Grantee: Beatriz Silveira Augusto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/16939-8 - Development and implementation of novel acoustic, magnetic and optical techniques for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, AP.TEM

Abstract

Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles have a variety of applications and are increasingly studied to expand their potential uses. This project aims to create a system for cultivating chicken embryos outside the shell to test the toxicity of these nanoparticles. The use of this system also aims to minimize animal suffering, as the tests will be conducted only in the first 10 days of embryo development, a period in which it is believed the fetus does not experience pain. The chicken embryo is a promising model for assessing nanoparticle toxicity due to its ease of manipulation and short embryonic development period (21 days until hatching). The choice to develop the embryo "ex-ovo" allows for better visualization of fetal structures and the effects of the substances studied. Furthermore, the system can be used in various experiments since it will not be specific to a particular compound. The system will consist of two layers, one in contact with the external environment but impermeable, and another inner permeable layer. The project will be evaluated by comparing the groups injected with nanoparticles to the control group (without nanoparticles).