Cell viability study in titanium alloys superficially modified by laser ablation

• Grant number: 25/07994-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: September 05, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Physical Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Mara Pinto de Almeida
• Grantee: Gustavo Henrique Zambon
• Supervisor: Danieli Balbueno Contreira Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/22233-1 - Surface modification of titanium alloys using laser ablation technique, BP.IC

Abstract

This project for Research Internship Abroad (RIA) proposes to perform in vitro cell assays on samples of the Ti-6Al-4V superficially modified by laser ablation. The study will be carried out at the Bone Lab - Biomaterials for Osseointegration and Novel Engineering, at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Danieli Rodrigues, as an additional step of the on-going undergraduate scientific project. Previous studies have shown that textured surfaces favor cell growth, promoting osseointegration. Therefore, we have used laser ablation technique on Ti-6Al-4V samples seeking to change the topography. This technique is advantageous for providing the fabrication of complex geometries on the material's surface in a clean, fast, and fully automated process. Additionally, it is a versatile technique in the sense that the laser parameters, such as wavelength, power and scanning speed, can be tailored to obtain the best material performance. These features have been investigated in an ongoing project; however, the assessment of cell viability, which is important to confirm the laser pattering effect for osseointegration, requires specialized expertise and infrastructure. Therefore, this RIA aims to perform cell viability assays on Ti-6Al-4V samples, previously prepared with specific geometric patterns (squares, rectangular, centered rectangular and hexagons, in continuous lines and small holes) by laser ablation. A Colorimetric assay (MTT) will be used to evaluate cellular proliferation of two mammalian cell lines, murine pre-osteoblast (MC3T3-E1) and murine macrophages. Cellular attachment of macrophages and pre-osteoblasts on all surfaces will be observed after 1, 3 and 7 days using confocal laser scanning microscope and fluorescent dyes. In addition, statistical analysis will be employed to obtain the average number of relative proliferation values of pre-osteoblasts for the investigated group samples. Attachment and proliferation studies of mammalian cells can provide valuable understanding of the role laser patterns can have on the Ti-6Al-4V substrate. The Bone Lab at UTD is recognized by research excellence in biomaterials, with advanced infrastructure for carrying out in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility studies. It is expected that the results of the RIA strengthen the ongoing project in Brazil, allowing the establishment of international cooperation and multidisciplinary research.