Development of a Tooth-on-a-Chip Model for Biological Evaluation of Photopolymerization Equipments

• Grant number: 24/22755-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Diana Gabriela Soares dos Passos
• Grantee: Emilie Maria Cabral Araujo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Organ-on-a-chip systems have emerged as a tool to improve the predictive power of preclinical analyses by providing an accurate in vitro representation of human physiology, often replacing animal experimentation. This application is achieved through the convergence of the fields of microfabrication, microfluidics, and tissue engineering. In this context, the project proposes the development of a tooth-on-a-chip platform for the biological evaluation of photopolymerization protocols used in routine dental practice, simulating different clinical conditions in vitro. To achieve this, 3D printing and tissue engineering techniques will be employed to create the devices and biological systems, which will be maintained in a simulated body pressure system. The prepared chip will allow for the evaluation of intra-pulpal temperature changes and the viability of pulp cells within a collagen matrix positioned inside. The data will be statistically analyzed.