IN VIVO EVALUATION OF THE BIOACTIVITY OF METHACRYLATED GELATIN BIOTINTS FUNCTIONALIZED WITH METAL OXIDES

• Grant number: 24/21682-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Periodontology
• Principal Investigator: Juliano Milanezi de Almeida
• Grantee: Laura Giovana Martins Pereira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Research with scaffolds has proven to be fundamental for the advancement of tissue engineering, as they provide a favorable environment for cell growth, imitating the characteristics of the natural extracellular matrix, and facilitate the regeneration of damaged or missing tissues. The ability of scaffolds to support and direct cellular differentiation is crucial for the development of more effective therapies, both for treatments of complex injuries and degenerative diseases. Furthermore, customizing these scaffolds, taking into account factors such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and integration with host tissues, is one of the biggest challenges in current research. Thus, the present project seeks to carry out the in vivo biological evaluation of porous and bioactive scaffolds obtained from the formulation of bioinks based on methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) associated with metal oxides. Methacrylated gelatin hydrogels (GelMA) were formulated containing cytocompatible and bioactive concentrations of silicon and magnesium oxides, which were selected by the research group in an in vitro study. Standardized samples will be produced from molds or through extrusion bioprinting and which will be implanted in critical defects made in the calvaria of male rats (Rattus norvegicus, albinus, Wistar). Samples will be collected 42 days after euthanasia of the animals. A histopathological analysis will be performed to evaluate chemotaxis, angiogenesis and bioactivity.