Development of multilayer cellular scaffolds containing a bioactive glass with hierarchical pore structure by combining electrospinning and additive manufacturing techniques for applications in regenerative medicine

• Grant number: 23/16554-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Acordo de Cooperação: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Luana Marotta Reis de Vasconcellos
• Grantee: Verônica Ribeiro dos Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/01557-0 - Bioactive and resorbable PDO/bioglass membranes obtained by 3D printing for guided tissue regeneration, AP.R

Abstract

Scaffolds (three-dimensional porous architectures) enable the regeneration of different types of tissues by allowing cell migration, proliferation, adhesion, and differentiation, and can be applied in dentistry, bone regeneration and treatment of skin wounds. Such structure must have a hierarchical structure of pores (nano-, micro- and macroporosity) in order to enable all stages of the regeneration process, in addition to the efficient transport of nutrients and bioactive compounds. The combination of electrospinning and additive manufacturing techniques in order to generate a cellular framework composed of nanofiber and hydrogel can make it possible to obtain such a hierarchical pore structure with optimized bioactive and antimicrobial properties through the incorporation of S53P4 silicate glass (53 SiO2 - 20 CaO - 23 Na2O - 4 P2O5 % weight). Thus, the aim of this proposal is the development of a multilayer scaffold composed of PLA (Polylactic acid) and sodium alginate with a hierarchical pore structure, bioactive and antimicrobial, and with optimized mechanical properties. The research project will be carried out in 4 stages: I) Synthesis, characterization and encapsulation of S53P4 bioactive glass synthesized by the glycol thermal method; II) Optimization of PLA electrospinning parameters to obtain porous nanofibers using the non-solvent-induced phase separation technique containing the bioactive glass S53P4; III) Optimization of printing parameters via sodium alginate extrusion; IV) Production and in vitro and in vivo characterization of the multilayered hybrid scaffolds. At the end of this project, it is expected to generate national technology, collaborating in the development of research aimed at improving the quality of life and recovery of injured patients.