Development of Models for Gonadal Bioengineering in Dogs and Cattle

• Grant number: 25/02811-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Maria Angelica Miglino
• Grantee: Rodrigo Paolo Flores Abuna
• Host Institution: Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR). Marília , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/05445-7 - Functionalized tissue factory: bioengineering based on ecm interactions with biopolymers and bioprinting, AP.TEM

Abstract

Reproductive tissue bioengineering combines decellularization, recellularization, and 3D bioprinting to develop functionalized biomaterials capable of restoring endocrine and gametogenic function in individuals with infertility caused by diseases, gonadotoxic treatments, or congenital disorders. This project aims to develop and characterize decellularized scaffolds derived from canine and bovine gonads, preserving the extracellular matrix (ECM) as a bioactive support. The scaffolds will be recellularized with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), gonadal somatic cells (SCCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), analyzing their biocompatibility, cellular differentiation, and interaction with the gonadal microenvironment. 3D bioprinting will be applied to tissue reconstruction, integrating biopolymers and bioactive molecules that promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and regeneration. In parallel, cell differentiation protocols and studies on cell-scaffold interaction mechanisms will be developed to optimize the biological and functional response of bioengineered tissues. The validation of the regenerative capacity of biofunctionalized scaffolds will be conducted using in vivo and in vitro models, including the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken embryos, to assess vascularization, cell migration, and immune response at the implantation site. With a highly qualified team and access to cutting-edge technologies, this study will contribute to advancements in reproductive tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, offering new therapeutic strategies in both veterinary and human regenerative medicine.