3D Printing of Piezoelectric Scaffolds Based on Methacrylated Gelatin, Diphenylamine Nanotubes, and Phytotherapeutics for Application in Chronic Wound Regeneration

• Grant number: 24/18479-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Roger Borges
• Grantee: Yunes Natal Menezes Coelho
• Host Institution: Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein (IIEPAE). Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein (SBIBAE). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims to develop piezoelectric scaffolds using 3D printing techniques. The scaffold composition will be based on gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), supplemented with diphenylalanine nanotubes (1 to 3% by mass) and phytotherapeutic agent (1 to 5% by mass) for applications in tissue engineering for chronic wound healing. Diphenylalanine nanotubes are explored for their piezoelectric properties to promote tissue regeneration, as electrical stimulation has been associated with accelerated healing. The added phytotherapeutic agent, grape seed oil (GSO), has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial functions, which are essential in the treatment of chronic wounds. The innovation of this study lies in the development of piezoelectric scaffolds with controlled release of phytotherapeutic agents, specifically designed to offer an effective and personalized alternative for treating chronic wounds, such as those associated with diabetes. These wounds are known for their complexity and notoriously slow healing process.In terms of methodology, gelatin will first be functionalized with methacrylate groups to produce hydrogels with crosslinks formed by ultraviolet light during 3D printing. The diphenylalanine nanotubes will be produced via an evaporation-induced self-assembly method. Subsequently, the diphenylalanine nanotubes and GSO will be incorporated into the GelMA, and the resulting hydrogels will be characterized for their rheological properties to optimize 3D printing parameters, aiming to maximize shape fidelity. Finally, the 3D-printed scaffolds will be evaluated for their structure using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The piezoelectric properties will be analyzed using an RLC meter under different frequencies, with and without applied AC current. The controlled release of GSO will be assessed in conjunction with the hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation of the scaffolds. By the end of the project, we expect to obtain a piezoelectric scaffold capable of controlled GSO release and with potential applications in chronic wound regeneration.