Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ESCULAPE (Electro-conductive polymeric 3D scaffolds as novel strategies for biomedical applications)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-11-01 do 2025-10-31
ESCULAPE project addresses the urgent need for advanced, sustainable, and clinically relevant biomaterials to support regenerative medicine, with a focus on cardiovascular and musculoskeletal applications. Existing solutions often fall short in long-term biocompatibility, mechanical performance, or integration with host tissues. Europe also faces strategic pressure to accelerate the translation of innovative materials into clinical practice while ensuring patient safety, ethical compliance, and socio-economic relevance.
ESCULAPE aims to develop next-generation electroconductive polymeric 3D scaffolds capable of supporting tissue regeneration, integrating with host tissues, and enabling biological monitoring. The project combines expertise in materials science, biomedical engineering, and clinical sciences to ensure that innovations are both technologically advanced and clinically meaningful.
ESCULAPE will deliver high-performance biomaterials, scalable fabrication methods, and advanced characterization data to enable preclinical evaluation and future clinical applications. These outcomes contribute to EU priorities in regenerative medicine by improving therapeutic performance, reducing healthcare burdens, and enhancing Europe’s leadership in advanced biomaterials.
Social sciences and humanities inform ethical frameworks, patient-centred design, and pathways for responsible technology adoption. Expected impacts include improved regenerative implant performance, enhanced monitoring of tissue recovery, and long-term potential to address chronic conditions affecting millions of patients across Europe.
ESCULAPE aims to develop next-generation electroconductive polymeric 3D scaffolds capable of supporting tissue regeneration, integrating with host tissues, and enabling biological monitoring. The project combines expertise in materials science, biomedical engineering, and clinical sciences to ensure that innovations are both technologically advanced and clinically meaningful.
ESCULAPE will deliver high-performance biomaterials, scalable fabrication methods, and advanced characterization data to enable preclinical evaluation and future clinical applications. These outcomes contribute to EU priorities in regenerative medicine by improving therapeutic performance, reducing healthcare burdens, and enhancing Europe’s leadership in advanced biomaterials.
Social sciences and humanities inform ethical frameworks, patient-centred design, and pathways for responsible technology adoption. Expected impacts include improved regenerative implant performance, enhanced monitoring of tissue recovery, and long-term potential to address chronic conditions affecting millions of patients across Europe.
The ESCULAPE project has achieved substantial progress in developing MXene-based and polymeric materials for biomedical and wearable applications across multiple work packages.
Synthesis and Functionalization
- MXenes were synthesized and incorporated into electrospun PLA, PCL, and chitosan membranes, as well as fabric substrates. Functionalization strategies improved electrical conductivity, stability, and biocompatibility, enabling their use in biomedical systems.
Material Characterization
- Materials were thoroughly characterized using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques (SEM, TEM, AFM, Raman, XRD, FT-IR, EDX). Mechanical testing and biodegradation analyses confirmed reproducibility and suitability for biomedical use.
Preclinical Biomedical Applications
- Electroconductive scaffolds were assessed with iPSC-derived cells and organ-on-chip systems for cardiac and neural applications. The materials supported cell growth and differentiation, while in vivo testing of cardiac patches showed biocompatibility and regenerative potential.
Wearable Technologies
- MXene-modified fabrics were developed into prototypes of flexible electrodes and sensors, demonstrating good conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and stability for future wearable biomedical devices.
Collaboration and Training
- The project strengthened cooperation among academic and industrial partners through secondments and joint research, offering training in nanomaterial fabrication, characterization, and tissue engineering.
Scientific Output and Dissemination
- ESCULAPE generated peer-reviewed publications on MXene-based membranes, scaffold biocompatibility, and applications in regenerative medicine and wearable electronics. Early-stage researchers actively contributed to dissemination and methodology development.
Synthesis and Functionalization
- MXenes were synthesized and incorporated into electrospun PLA, PCL, and chitosan membranes, as well as fabric substrates. Functionalization strategies improved electrical conductivity, stability, and biocompatibility, enabling their use in biomedical systems.
Material Characterization
- Materials were thoroughly characterized using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques (SEM, TEM, AFM, Raman, XRD, FT-IR, EDX). Mechanical testing and biodegradation analyses confirmed reproducibility and suitability for biomedical use.
Preclinical Biomedical Applications
- Electroconductive scaffolds were assessed with iPSC-derived cells and organ-on-chip systems for cardiac and neural applications. The materials supported cell growth and differentiation, while in vivo testing of cardiac patches showed biocompatibility and regenerative potential.
Wearable Technologies
- MXene-modified fabrics were developed into prototypes of flexible electrodes and sensors, demonstrating good conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and stability for future wearable biomedical devices.
Collaboration and Training
- The project strengthened cooperation among academic and industrial partners through secondments and joint research, offering training in nanomaterial fabrication, characterization, and tissue engineering.
Scientific Output and Dissemination
- ESCULAPE generated peer-reviewed publications on MXene-based membranes, scaffold biocompatibility, and applications in regenerative medicine and wearable electronics. Early-stage researchers actively contributed to dissemination and methodology development.
ESCULAPE has generated several innovative results that advance MXene-functionalized electrospun membranes and 3D scaffolds for biomedical use. These outcomes address current challenges in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and wearable electronics while supporting future clinical and commercial applications.
MXene-Based Regenerative Scaffolds
- Biocompatible, electroconductive electrospun membranes and 3D scaffolds (PLA, PCL, chitosan) were developed with MXene functionalization. Their tunable mechanical and electrical properties make them suitable for cardiac and neural regeneration and organ-on-chip systems.
Advanced Characterization
- Comprehensive structural and chemical characterization (SEM, AFM, EDX, Raman, FT-IR, biodegradation tests) enabled the identification of scaffolds with optimal biomedical performance.
Scalable Production
- Reproducible methods for MXene synthesis, functionalization, and deposition on polymeric and fabric substrates were established, supporting future scale-up and industrial use.
Impact and Future Directions
- The results contribute to progress in regenerative medicine and wearable health technologies. They lay the groundwork for further research, clinical validation, and commercialization, emphasizing the importance of regulatory planning, IPR protection, and international collaboration.
MXene-Based Regenerative Scaffolds
- Biocompatible, electroconductive electrospun membranes and 3D scaffolds (PLA, PCL, chitosan) were developed with MXene functionalization. Their tunable mechanical and electrical properties make them suitable for cardiac and neural regeneration and organ-on-chip systems.
Advanced Characterization
- Comprehensive structural and chemical characterization (SEM, AFM, EDX, Raman, FT-IR, biodegradation tests) enabled the identification of scaffolds with optimal biomedical performance.
Scalable Production
- Reproducible methods for MXene synthesis, functionalization, and deposition on polymeric and fabric substrates were established, supporting future scale-up and industrial use.
Impact and Future Directions
- The results contribute to progress in regenerative medicine and wearable health technologies. They lay the groundwork for further research, clinical validation, and commercialization, emphasizing the importance of regulatory planning, IPR protection, and international collaboration.