Additive Manufacturing of Advanced Hydrogels for Applications in Tissue Engineering and Bone Regeneration

• Grant number: 25/07982-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Noronha Lisboa Filho
• Grantee: Jean Valdir Uchoa Teixeira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/01132-2 - Multidisciplinary Center for the Development of Assistive Technology (MCDAT), AP.CCD

Abstract

Although bone tissue may appear static, it is, in fact, highly dynamic, exhibiting a remarkable capacity for remodeling and regeneration throughout the lifespan of vertebrates. This activity is tightly regulated by the coordinated actions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In cases of extensive, critical-size defects, the natural repair mechanisms are insufficient, necessitating the clinical use of support materials-such as metallic and ceramic biomaterials-to promote tissue repair and regeneration.With the increasing global population and aging demographics, the demand for improved biomaterials has intensified, driving innovation aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes and reducing patient recovery times. A major focus has been the development of materials that promote effective osseointegration and vascularization, which are essential for the successful healing of peri-implant tissues.Among the biomaterials under intense investigation, hydrogels have emerged as particularly promising in the field of regenerative medicine. Their highly hydrated structure provides an ideal environment for cell proliferation and differentiation, key processes in the repair of tissues damaged by injury, disease, or aging. Furthermore, hydrogels can be engineered to be both biocompatible and biodegradable, ensuring that they are well tolerated by the host and gradually degrade into harmless byproducts, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions and facilitating the replacement of the material by newly formed tissue.Hydrogels also offer the versatility of being functionalized with other biomaterials, stem cells, growth factors, or bioactive molecules, significantly enhancing their regenerative potential. Through bioprinting technologies, it is possible to fabricate patient-specific tissue constructs that account for individual anatomical and physiological characteristics.In this context, the present project aims to develop advanced hydrogels composed of methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) and calcium phosphates anchored onto graphene oxide sheets, specifically designed for applications in bone tissue regeneration. (AU)