Redefining Identity of Disease, Tissues and Cells – A Biomaterials Paradigm Abhay Pandit Director, CÚRAM- SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices; National University of Ireland; Galway, Ireland Abstract Biomaterials are no longer considered innate structures and using functionalisation and biofabrication strategies to modulate a desired response whether it is a host or implant is currently an important focus in current research paradigms. Fundamentally, a thorough understanding of the host response will enable us to design appropriate strategies. The input from the host response needs to be weighed in depending on the host disease condition. Our current inputs have been through a thorough understanding of glyco-proteomics based tools which we are developing in our laboratory. In addition, biomaterials themselves provide immense therapeutic benefits which needs to be accounted in the design paradigm. Using functionalisation strategies such as enzymatic and hyperbranched linking systems, we have been able to link biomolecules to different structural moieties. The programmed assembly of biomolecules into higher-order self-organized systems is central to innumerable biological processes and development of the next generation of biofabricated scaffolds. Recent design efforts have utilized a glycobiology and developmental biology approach toward both understanding and engineering supramolecular protein and sugar assemblies. Biography Professor Abhay Pandit is the Established Professor in Biomaterials and the Director of a Science Foundation Ireland funded Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM) at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Professor Pandit’s research integrates material science and biological paradigms in developing solutions for chronic diseases including neural, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular clinical targets with numerous other targets currently under development. His research is funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), EU Framework program, Enterprise Ireland, Health Research Board, the AO Foundation and industry sources, and in excess of €84 million. He has also established a critical mass of biomaterial expertise in Ireland by securing funding for an SFI funded Strategic Research Cluster. He is the author of 22 patents and has licensed three technologies to medical device companies and authored more than 260 manuscripts. Prof Pandit has successfully supervised 26 Ph.D. students, 17 Master’s students and mentored 25 postdoctoral fellows. He is currently leading the team in the supervision of 15 Ph.D. students, 15 Post doctorates and three research associates.
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Redefining Identity of Disease, Tissues and Cells – A Biomaterials Paradigm
Abhay Pandit
Director, CÚRAM- SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices; National University of Ireland; Galway, Ireland
Abstract
Biomaterials are no longer considered innate structures and using functionalisation and
biofabrication strategies to modulate a desired response whether it is a host or implant is
currently an important focus in current research paradigms. Fundamentally, a thorough
understanding of the host response will enable us to design appropriate strategies. The input
from the host response needs to be weighed in depending on the host disease condition. Our
current inputs have been through a thorough understanding of glyco-proteomics based tools
which we are developing in our laboratory. In addition, biomaterials themselves provide
immense therapeutic benefits which needs to be accounted in the design paradigm. Using
functionalisation strategies such as enzymatic and hyperbranched linking systems, we have been
able to link biomolecules to different structural moieties. The programmed assembly of
biomolecules into higher-order self-organized systems is central to innumerable biological
processes and development of the next generation of biofabricated scaffolds. Recent design
efforts have utilized a glycobiology and developmental biology approach toward both
understanding and engineering supramolecular protein and sugar assemblies.
Biography
Professor Abhay Pandit is the Established Professor in Biomaterials and the Director of a Science Foundation Ireland funded Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM) at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Professor Pandit’s research integrates material science and biological paradigms in developing solutions for chronic diseases including neural, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular clinical targets with numerous other targets currently under development. His research is funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), EU Framework program, Enterprise Ireland, Health Research Board, the AO Foundation and industry sources, and in excess of €84 million. He has also established a critical mass of biomaterial expertise in Ireland by securing funding for an SFI funded Strategic Research Cluster. He is the author of 22 patents and has licensed three technologies to medical device companies and authored more than 260 manuscripts. Prof Pandit has successfully supervised 26 Ph.D. students, 17 Master’s students and mentored 25 postdoctoral fellows. He is currently leading the team in the supervision of 15 Ph.D. students, 15 Post doctorates and three research associates.
Acellular Biomaterials for Dental Tissue Repair
Adam D. Celiz
UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and Lecturer, Department of Bioengineering; Imperial College
London, UK
Abstract
Dental disease annually affects billions of patients, and while regenerative dentistry aims to heal
dental tissue after injury, existing polymeric restorative materials, or fillings, do not directly
participate in the healing process in a bioinstructive manner. There is a need for restorative
materials that can support native functions of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), which are capable
of regenerating dentin. A polymer microarray formed from commercially available monomers to
rapidly identify materials that support DPSC adhesion is used. Based on these findings, thiol-ene
chemistry is employed to achieve rapid light-curing and minimize residual monomer of the lead
materials. Several triacrylate bulk polymers support DPSC adhesion, proliferation, and
differentiation in vitro, and exhibit stiffness and tensile strength similar to existing dental materials.
Conversely, materials composed of trimethacrylates or bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate
(BisGMA), which is a monomer standard in dental materials, do not support stem cell adhesion
and negatively impact matrix and signaling pathways. Furthermore, thiol-ene polymerized
triacrylates are used as permanent filling materials at the dentin-pulp interface in direct contact
with irreversibly injured pulp tissue. These acellular materials have potential to enable novel
regenerative dental therapies in the clinic by both restoring teeth and providing a supportive niche
for DPSCs.
Biography
Dr. Celiz’s research focusses on the development of
acellular biomaterials to repair or regenerate tissues. Dr.
Celiz gained his PhD in Chemistry in the Melville
Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis at the University of
Cambridge. Dr. Celiz gained postdoctoral training at the
University of Nottingham and the Wyss Institute for
Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University via
a Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship (IOF). In
2017, Dr. Celiz was appointed as Lecturer (Assistant
Professor) in Department of Bioengineering at Imperial
College London. Dr. Celiz’s research has been published in
journals including Science, Nature Materials and Advanced
Materials. Dr Celiz has been awarded several early-career awards including the Larry Hench
Young Investigators Prize from the UK Society for Biomaterials and is currently a holder of a
UKRI Future Leader Fellowship.
Bioactive glasses with tuned ion releasing capability to stimulate stem cells for
tissue engineering
Aldo R. Boccaccini
Institute of Biomaterials, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Abstract
Biochemical reactions occurring at the interface between bioactive glasses (BGs) and the
biological environment, involving the release of BG ionic dissolution products, are relevant for
both hard and soft tissue regeneration. The development and characterization of ion doped BGs
will be discussed with focus on the effect of different biologically active ions released from BGs
on stem cells, mainly umbilical cord and adipose derived stem cells as well as bone marrow-
derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). BGs incorporating biologically active ions, such as B,
Sr, Cu, Nb, Co, Li, Mn, will be considered. Indirect cell culture methods using endothelial cells
with or without BMSCs in cell culture inserts exposed to ion dissolution products from BG
scaffolds (e.g. Cu doped) will be presented to show that BMSCs secrete an increased concentration
of vascular endothelial growth factor, thus confirming the angiogenic potential of such BGs. The
results are evaluated regarding the stimulating effect of metallic ions on stem cells, also based on
literature results. The variation of ion concentration in medium as function of time and the time
dependent effects on stem cells will be discussed, which is required for the comprehensive
assessment of BG biological performance with implication for clinical applications.
Biography
Aldo R. Boccaccini is Professor of Biomaterials and Head
of the Institute of Biomaterials at University of Erlangen-
Nuremberg, Germany. He is also Visiting Professor at
Imperial College London. His research activities are in the
broad area of glasses, ceramics and composites for
biomedical applications. He has co-authored more than 850
scientific papers. His work has been cited more than 36,000
times (Scopus®). Boccaccini is Fellow of the Institute of
Materials, Minerals and Mining, American Ceramic
Society, Society of Glass Technology and European
Ceramic Society. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal
“Materials Letters” and founding Editor of “Biomedical
Glasses”. He has received numerous international awards, including the Materials Science Prize
of German Materials Society and Turner Award of International Commission on Glass. He is also
a member of the World Academy of Ceramics, National Academy of Engineering and Applied
Sciences of Germany and advisor to the Science and Technology Ministry of Argentina.
Boccaccini serves in the Executive Committee of the Federation of European Materials Societies
and in the Council of the European Society for Biomaterials.
Harnessing proteins and supramolecular events to build advanced
biomaterials
Alvaro Mata
Queen Mary University of London, UK
Abstract
Nature has evolved to grow and heal materials and tissues through self-assembling processes capable of
organizing a wide variety of molecular building-blocks at multiple size scales. While advances in fields
such as nanotechnology and biofabrication are enhancing our capacity to emulate some of these biological
structures, it is increasingly evident that recreation of the complexity and functionality of living systems
will require new ways to build with proteins. This talk will present our laboratory’s efforts to harness
supramolecular events found in nature such as multicomponent self-assembly, protein order-disorder
synergies, and diffusion-reaction processes to engineer advanced protein-based materials. The resulting
materials exhibit properties such as hierarchical organization1-3, the capacity to grow and heal2,3, tuneable
mechanical properties1,2, and spatially controlled bioactivity4,5.
References
1. Elsharkawy et al (2018). Nature Communications, 10.1038/s41467-018-04319-0.
2. Wu et al (2020). Nature Communications, 1182, 10.1038/s41467-020-14716-z.
3. Inostroza-Brito et al (2015). Nature Chemistry, 10.1038/nchem.2349.
4. Hedegaard et al (2018). Advanced Functional Materials, 10.1002/adfm.201703716.
5. Hedegaard et al (2020). Science Advances, 10.1126/sciadv.abb3298.
Biography
Alvaro Mata is Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials in the School of Pharmacy
and the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nottingham.
He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Kansas, a Master's Degree from the
University of Strathclyde, and a Doctor of Engineering Degree from Cleveland State University
working with Prof. Shuvo Roy at the Cleveland Clinic. He conducted his postdoctoral training
with Prof. Samuel Stupp at Northwestern University. His group focuses on developing innovative
ways to build with biomolecules to engineer active, hierarchical, and living materials that can
recreate complex biological environments. Before joining the University of Nottingham, he helped
established and served as Director of the Institute of Bioengineering at Queen Mary University of
London between 2015-2018 and is now the Chair of the Manufacturing Commercial and
Regulatory Committee of the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform (UKRMP2) – Acellular / Smart
Materials – 3D Architecture Hub. His work has led to seven patents or patent applications;
publications in journals including Nature Chemistry, Nature Communications, Science Advances,
and Advanced Functional Materials; and awards such as a Ramon y Cajal Fellowship and an ERC
Staring Grant.
Harnessing the Host Response for In Situ Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering
– the Challenge of Elastogenesis
Anthal I.P.M. Smits
Assistant Professor and Group Leader ImmunoRegeneration Group, Department of Biomedical
Engineering and the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of
Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Abstract
The use of acellular resorbable synthetic scaffolds for replacing diseased cardiovascular tissues is
an attractive strategy that has shown great promise in recent preclinical studies and ongoing
clinical trials. These scaffolds are designed to instantaneously take over the functionality of the
replaced tissue upon implantation, and maintain functionality while they are gradually resorbed
and replaced by autologous new tissue by infiltrating cells, directly in situ. This process of in situ
tissue engineering is poorly understood to date, leading to unpredictable variability in outcome.
Moreover, one of the biggest unmet challenges is the in situ regeneration of a functional, native-
like elastin network, which is critical for sustaining long-term functionality of cardiovascular
tissues. In this talk, I will present our efforts in the understanding and controlling of the in situ
formation of functional new cardiovascular tissues (i.e. blood vessels and heart valves) by
modulating the host immune response using resorbable supramolecular elastomers. Specifically, I
will elaborate on our recent results on the influence of biomechanical loads on the inflammatory
and regenerative processes to such scaffolds, and how these may dictate tissue formation and
elastin deposition in particular, both in vitro and in vivo.
Biography
Dr.ir. Anthal Smits was appointed Assistant Professor at
Eindhoven University of Technology in 2016, where he
since initiated and leads the ImmunoRegeneration Group as
one of the main research pillars of the Department of
Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for Complex
Molecular Systems (ICMS). His research is aimed at
modulating the immune response using biomaterials in
order to induce functional, homeostatic tissue regeneration.
His group performs interdisciplinary work, dedicated to
gaining a mechanistic understanding of the interactions
between immune cell behavior, biomaterial design, and
biomechanical loads, in conditions of health and disease.
The main target applications are cardiovascular replacements (e.g. heart valves and blood vessels),
yet the research is curiosity-driven, and applicable to a wide variety of clinical applications. Dr.
Smits is a member of the Heart Valve Society and the Tissue Engineering Young Investigator
Council, among others. He is a leading researcher in various international research programs and
public-private partnerships, such as the Materials-Driven Regeneration program (NWO
Gravitation; 25 M€) and the Cardiac Moonshot within the RegMed-XB program (800,000 €).
Tropoelastin promotes elastic tissue regeneration and restoration
Anthony S. Weiss
McCaughey Chair in Biochemistry, Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology,
Charles Perkins Centre School of Life and Environmental Sciences,
University of Sydney, Australia
Abstract
Elastic tissue does not typically regenerate in adults, so there is demand for ways to restore these
tissues following damage. The stages through which tropoelastin self-assembles into elastin and,
in turn, elastic fibers, are hierarchical and the topic of extensive, ongoing research. It is this
capacity for self-assembly that is of interest for a class of materials that promote the formation of
new elastic tissue.
Processes and a hybrid biomaterial, developed in association with Dr. Suzanne Mithieux in my
lab, are intended to deliver tunable levels of histologically detectable patient elastin into full-
thickness wound sites. This approach addresses a persistent unmet need because repairing wounds
lack this elastic substratum. Previously, dogma asserted that elastin synthesis is attenuated in early
childhood, but we found that we can overcome this restriction by adding exogenous tropoelastin,
regardless of the age of the dermal fibroblast donor. We found how to further enhance synthesis
with older cells by using conditioned media. This approach delivers elastin as a layer on the leading
dermal repair template for contact with the deep dermis in order to deliver prefabricated elastic
fibers to the physiologically appropriate site during surgery to repair scar tissue at sites of healing
full thickness wounds.
Biography
Professor Anthony Weiss PhD AM FRSC FTSE FRSN
FRACI FAIMBE FAICD FBSE FTERM is the McCaughey
Chair in Biochemistry at the University of Sydney. His
research focuses on the assembly of human elastic tissue,
damage and its repair. His awards include the Order of
Australia, Clunies Ross National Science and Technology
Award, Eureka Prize for Innovation in Medical Research,
Premier’s Prize for Science & Engineering Leadership in
molecular to the macro scale and, the effect of these ones on
cell phenotype and matrix deposition.
Sandra Camarero-Espinosa was educated at the University
of the Basque Country (Spain) where she obtained her BSc.
degree as Chemical Engineer and M.Sc. in Engineering of
Advanced Materials. Sha developed her doctoral studies at
the Adolphe Merkle Institute (Fribourg, Switzerland) and
was recognized with an award to an outstanding PhD thesis by the Swiss Chemical Society. After
gaining a fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation, she moved to Brisbane
(Australia) to work at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. Sandra is
now a post-doctoral researcher at the MERLN institute where she works on the development of
instructive hierarchical biomaterial scaffolds for the regeneration of complex tissues.
The platform of materials and functionalization routes for the
biofabrication of GIOTTO devices
Sonia Fiorilli
Politecnico di Torino, Department of Applied Science and Technologies, Corso Duca degli
Abruzzi 24, Turin, Italy
Abstract
The incidence of osteoporotic fractures is expected to double rapidly due to progressive population
ageing. In this context, the GIOTTO project aims to develop three different devices to treat specific
osteoporosis fractures through the synergistic combination of smart nanomaterials and 3D
fabrication technologies. The three devices will share the use of novel bioactive inorganic phases,
nano-hydroxyapatites and mesoporous bioactive glasses, substituted with biologically active ions
able to stimulate bone production (e.g. Sr2+). The developed inorganic phases will be dispersed in
a resorbable matrix to produce composites with the desired resorption kinetics and matching the
fracture specificities at different body sites. In particular, the bioactive materials will be combined
with the following different matrices:
- an optimised blend of biodegradable polyesters (e.g. PLLA, PCL) to fabricate 3D scaffolds
by extrusion-based printing
- collagen matrix to produce a flexible, fibrous injectable scaffold through electrospinning
- calcium sulphate hemihydrate to produce an injectable resorbable radiopaque cement
GIOTTO materials will be also ad-hoc functionalised through different strategies, with the dual
aim to impart specific properties (e.g. mechanical resistance, degradation kinetics) to the final
devices and to couple them with a novel recombinant biomolecule able to inactivate the osteoclast
activity (ICOS-Fc).
Biography
Sonia Lucia Fiorilli graduated in Industrial Chemistry and took her
PhD in Materials Science and Technology at Politecnico di Torino in
2005. Currently she is Associate Professor at Politecnico di Torino,
where she is lecturer of “Chemistry”, co-lecture of “Physical chemistry
of materials for nanotechnologies”. Her research activity mainly
focuses on the synthesis, characterization and functionalization of
bioceramics, as coatings and 3D scaffolds, for bone and soft tissue
regeneration. More recently, her research interests also include the
design of 3D printed biomimetic scaffolds based on the combination
of collagen and inorganic bioactive phases, properly optimised through
different cross-linking methods.
Prof. Fiorilli is involved in several funded projects as principal investigator or WP/task leader,
including EU-H2020 projects (e.g. EU-H2020- NMBP-22-2018- GIOTTO, EU-H2020-NMP6-
2015 MOZART, MSCA-ITN Action POLYSTORAGE) and national projects (e.g. PI of
ZODIAC “Zwitterionic mesOstructureD glAsses: powerful deviCes for bone regeneration”).
She is currently involved in the supervision/co-supervision of 6 PhD students.
Nanofilled electrospun fibers inspired by elastin and natural polymers
Nicola Ciarfaglia, Antonietta Pepe, Antonio Laezza, Brigida Bochicchio*
Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry; Department of Science; University of Basilicata, Via
Ateneo Lucano 10, Potenza, Italy
Abstract
Electrospinning is an emerging technique with applications in tissue engineering for the high
surface area to volume ratio and the interconnected pores of nanofibers. Blending of synthetic
polymers as polylactic acid (PLA) and poly--caprolactone (PCL), together with natural proteins
(Gelatin, Elastin) were conceived until now in order to obtain scaffolds with combination of
strength and biocompatibility usually used in soft-tissue regeneration. Furthermore, the use of
nanoreinforcements as bioglass and/or nanocellulose is aimed to overcome the limited mechanical
performances of the scaffolds. In this work, we have successfully electrospun highly hydrophobic
(PDLLA) and hydrophilic polymers (gelatin and a human tropoelastin-inspired sequence) together
with bioglass microparticles and crystalline nanocellulose as nanoreinforcements in the
perspective of future applications in hard-tissue regeneration (bone). Additionally, PDLLA was
herein adoperated for its faster degradation times in comparison to the most used PLA. The
matrices were cross-linked in order to confer stability in water. Afterward, the matrices were
tested concerning wettability, swelling and Young's elastic modulus. They show complete
wettability and a significative decrease of Young's Modulus after swelling (comprised between 27
and 23 MPa). The value is analogous to that found for electrospun scaffolds composed of collagen,
elastin and PCL. Funding: PON R&I 2014-2020 (572 PON_ARS01_01081).
Biography
Professor Bochicchio’s research focusses on biopolymers
and peptides inspired by elastomeric proteins for tissue
engineering. Professor Bochicchio has authored 60
international peer-reviewed journal publications and Invited
Speaker at 24 International Meetings. Professor
Bochicchio’s research has been supported by Italian
Ministry of University and European Community and also
attracts interest from multinational industrial partners. To
date, she has secured ≈€1.8M (Co-I) research funding from
National Operational Program "Research and Innovation"
2014-2020 in health sector. Professor Bochicchio has
successfully supervised to completion 2 PhD student and 20
MSc students all of whom have remained in engineering/science and or academia. She is currently
involved in the supervision of 1 PhD student. Additionally, she is currently mentoring one PhD
research fellow.
The Effect of Elastin Degradation Products and Elastin Fibers on COPD and Control Lung Mesenchymal Stromal cells
Willeke F. Daamen* Dept. of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences,
Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation and an irreversible loss of alveolar architecture and extracellular matrix. Novel strategies aimed at the regeneration of the lost alveolar tissue are needed and may include the use of lung mesenchymal stromal cells. These cells produce anti-inflammatory factors, growth factors and extracellular matrix components, including elastin, thereby providing a potential niche for alveolar repair. The reparative capacity of mesenchymal stromal cells from the lungs of COPD patients, however, may be hampered due to oxidative stress and extracellular matrix loss, e.g. by the presence of degradation products of elastic fibers. We investigated whether degradation products of the extracellular matrix, such as hydrolyzed elastin, affect the regenerative capacity of lung mesenchymal stromal cells and whether a supporting micro-environment consisting of intact collagen fibrils and elastin fibers improves the function of lung mesenchymal stromal cells. Biography Willeke Daamen PhD is a scientific researcher at Radboud university medical center. She aims to promote the intrinsic regenerative capacity of patients, mostly by using cell-free biodegradable biomaterials that stimulate the endogenous healing response of tissues. Her group has designed biomaterials that indeed influence infiltrating cells. One example is that the incorporation of solubilized elastin enhances angiogenesis and elastic fiber formation in vivo. Her straightforward biomaterial designs in combination with close collaborations with clinicians, researchers and entrepreneurs will facilitate the translation to the clinic, so that patients will indeed benefit from her research achievements. Willeke Daamen is secretary of the Netherlands Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (NBTE) and organized and chaired the 10th European Elastin Meeting. She supervised 15 past and present PhD students and has published >95 peer-reviewed papers.
* Full author list: Danique J Hof1, Dennis MLW Kruk2,3, Rob TC Meuwese1, Elly MM Versteeg1, Nick HT ten Hacken3,4, Irene H Heijink2,3,4, Toin H van Kuppevelt1 & Willeke F Daamen1. 1Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Dept. of Biochemistry, Nijmegen, The Netherlands 2University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Dept. of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, The Netherlands 3University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, Groningen, The Netherlands 4University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Dept. of Pulmonary Diseases, Groningen, The Netherlands
Polyglycolic acid---an old polymer for new scaffolds and implants
Ying Yang
Professor in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering; Course director of MSc Biomedical Engineering; School of
Pharmacy and Bioengineering; Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB; UK
Abstract
Polyglycolide (PGA) is one of the earliest biodegradable polymers explored for biomedical application, date back
1970s for the first synthetic absorbable suture. PGA is highly crystalline polymer, endowing its high tensile modulus.
In addition, PGA’s rapid degradation via bulk hydrolysis makes it as appropriate materials for scaffolds in regenerative
medicine. However, the application of PGA as scaffolds in tissue engineering is hampered by its high crystallinity
(45-55%) property. PGA is insoluble in most organic solvents except the highly toxic solvent, hexafluoroisopropanol.
Currently the practically feasible fabrication technique for porous PGA scaffolds is making PGA nonwoven fibers via
melt-spinning, which has poor compressive properties and difficulty to control porosity, pore size and distribution.
Working with the research partners, we explored a novel fabrication technique, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2)
assisted melt-foaming, to generate porous PGA scaffolds. In this talk, the uniqueness of the scCO2 fabrication
processing and the cellular response to the scaffolds will be demonstrated. The comparison study of in vitro and in
vivo degradation and immunoresponse triggered by PGA degraded products will be presented. It is confirmed that
PGA could be explored as unique scaffolds and implants through the new fabrication technique.
Biography
Dr Ying Yang is a Professor in biomaterials and tissue engineering. Her
main research interests/activities are the design and fabrication of
biomaterials to provoke desired cellular response at materials and cell
interface including bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering,
anticoagulant surface for implanted biosensor, and the bioorganic metal
surface for anti-fouling application. She has established systematic
study methods including smart nanofiber applications, detection of
variation of cell adhesion capacities and structures of collagen based
matrices, in order to develop new strategies in regenerative medicine
and clinical diagnostics. She has undertaken diverse clinical projects from colony growth of stem cells as a diagnosis
assay for osteogenic potency assessment, pathological calcification of heart valves, the relation of pelvic organ
prolapse and ageing, cartilage/blood vessel regeneration, eye models (glaucoma and retina) to pseudoislets generation.
She also heavily engages in development of non-destructive and on-line monitoring systems for tissue engineering
products and diagnostics. As the PI and co-PI, her research has been financially supported by BBSRC, EPSRC,
European frame work FP5-7 and various charity. She has published over 130 full peer-reviewed papers, 11 chapters