Janus bacterial nanocellulose/cellulose acetate-based scaffold functionalized with collagen type I-mimetic peptides for tissue regeneration.

• Grant number: 25/04696-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: June 09, 2025
• End date: October 08, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Hernane da Silva Barud
• Grantee: Paula de Abreu Fernandes
• Supervisor: Pedro Fardim
• Host Institution: Universidade de Araraquara (UNIARA). Associação São Bento de Ensino. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Leuven, Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/17580-1 - Development of novel cellular platforms based on bacterial cellulose conjugated with peptides: evaluation of its bioactivity and enhancing adhesion and cell proliferation, BP.MS

Abstract

Traditional single-structured membranes often fail to meet the complex demands of clinical applications. Inspired by the unique wettability of the lotus leaf, Janus membranes characterized by their dual-faced structure with opposing properties have gained increasing attention due to their asymmetric surface functionalities. While extensively explored in chemical applications such as self-cleaning, selective separation, and fluid transport, their biomedical potential remains underexplored. In this study, we propose a novel Janus scaffold composed of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and an electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) layer with distinct physicochemical properties, tailored for tissue regeneration. The BNC phase provides a highly porous, biocompatible, and mechanically robust framework, while the CA layer offers controlled permeability and enhanced stability. Furthermore, functionalization of the BNC surface with collagen type I-mimetic peptides enhances cell adhesion, proliferation, and extracellular matrix deposition, creating a biomimetic microenvironment conducive to tissue repair. This dual-functional architecture enables directional cell migration, controlled nutrient diffusion, and selective molecular transport, addressing key limitations of conventional scaffolds. To fully characterize the designed system, various physicochemical techniques will be employed, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurement, pore size analysis, and swelling tests. Furthermore, the in vitro biological properties will be assessed using NIH 3T3 fibroblast and human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell lines. The proposed Janus platform holds significant promise for applications in guided tissue regeneration, wound healing, and regenerative medicine.