Project R-12954

Adaptive biomaterials constructed from fully dynamic hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering (Research)

There is a critical demand for a modular synthetic system capable of dictating cellular fate in order to translate hydrogels toward therapeutic applications. This project aims to investigate the role of dynamic networks on the cellular response, leading to the development of an injectable but tough material capable of functioning as cell scaffold for cartilage regeneration. To achieve this, the first objective is to establish a platform based on biocompatible polymers to create mechanically robust scaffolds capable of functionalization with cell-binding motifs. Next, these materials will be mechanically characterized and optimized to mimic the mechanical properties of cartilage. Finally, the cellular response of chondrogenic cell lines in the hydrogel will be investigated in vitro, providing valuable insight into cellular fate dependent on the properties of the surrounding microenvironment. The use of these peptide-coupled dynamic networks in a double-network system involves a novel approach allowing i) excellent mechanical properties and ii) a favorable microenvironment for cells to thrive in. It's expected that the hydrogel will possess superior mechanical properties to single-network dynamic hydrogels, while maintaining its processability in the form of injection and 3D printing. This will significantly contribute to the current state of the art, allowing researchers to develop a next generation of materials for tissue engineering.

01 October 2022 - 30 September 2026