Electrospun membranes based on fish skin-derived methacrylated collagen and polymers for tissue regeneration

• Grant number: 25/15485-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Materials
• Principal Investigator: Diana Gabriela Soares dos Passos
• Grantee: Priscila Toninatto Alves de Toledo
• Supervisor: Aldo Roberto Boccaccini
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/06325-3 - Methacrylated collagen hydrogel formulation extracted from tilapia skin functionalized with proanthocyanidin for endodontic regeneration, BP.PD

Abstract

Tissue engineering is a promising strategy for regenerating mineralized tissues, with electrospinning enabling the fabrication of nanofibers that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM). Methacrylated collagen derived from tilapia skin (ColMA) offers excellent biocompatibility, photo-cross-linking capability, and eliminates zoonotic risks, making it an attractive biomaterial. However, its mechanical limitations require reinforcement with polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL) and chitosan (CH), and further enhancement through the addition of bioactive glass (45S5 bioactive glass composition), known to improve osteogenesis and mechanical properties. The aim of this study is to manufacture and characterize electrospun nanofibrous membranes composed of ColMA/PCL and ColMA/CH, with and without bioactive glass microparticles. The polymer concentrations will be optimized and the membranes will be produced under controlled electrospinning conditions. The physicochemical and mechanical properties will be evaluated using SEM, EDS, FTIR, TGA, tensile tests, contact angle measurements, swelling analysis and degradation tests. Biological performance will be assessed using primary dental pulp cells (DPCs), mesenchymal human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts through viability assays (AlamarBlue, Live/Dead), adhesion analysis (cytoskeleton/nuclei staining), osteogenic differentiation assays (ALP activity and Alizarin Red S staining) and odontogenic marker expression. The scaffolds are expected to increase cell adhesion, proliferation, mineralization and differentitation, contributing to the development of multifunctional and sustainable biomaterials for bone and dental pulp regeneration. Statistical significance will be considered at ¿ = 0.05.