Integrating Material Informatics and Experimental Design to Advance Bioactive Cements: A Data-Driven Approach to Regenerative Dentistry

• Grant number: 25/24206-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2026
• End date: March 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Miori Pascon
• Grantee: Ranam Moreira Reis
• Supervisor: Vinicius Rosa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: National University of Singapore,
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/14503-9 - Evaluation of the efficacy of L-Dopa and P11-4 in dentin and pulp regeneration in tooth-on-a-chip model, BP.DR

Abstract

This project aims to optimize bioactive dental cements functionalized with the self-assembling peptide P11-4 and polydopamine coating to enhance their physicochemical and biological properties for direct pulp capping applications. Utilizing an adaptive experimental design based on Taguchi's methods, the study will systematically evaluate two commercial bioactive cements with varying levels of functionalization to identify optimal formulations. Key analyses include assessment of setting time, flowability, pH, radiopacity, mechanical strength, surface morphology, cytocompatibility, cell proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). The project integrates material informatics with experimental approaches to develop multifunctional bioactive cements with improved regenerative potential and clinical performance. The findings are expected to advance regenerative dentistry by providing novel biomaterials that actively support tissue repair and infection control in dental treatments.