Descrizione del progetto
Biogel intelligenti che si contraggono ed espandono su richiesta
Gli idrogel sono reti polimeriche tridimensionali mantenute insieme da legami di natura chimica o fisica, in grado di trattenere l’acqua o altre soluzioni acquose nei loro spazi intermolecolari. Grazie ai notevoli progressi compiuti nell’ambito dei materiali sintetici e della funzionalizzazione, questi materiali versatili hanno suscitato un enorme interesse per applicazioni che comprendono il biorilevamento, la somministrazione dei farmaci e l’ingegneria tissutale. Il progetto 4D-Biogel, finanziato dall’UE, si avvarrà della stampa 3D per la produzione di biogel intelligenti capaci di mutare forma in risposta a radiazioni del vicino infrarosso. Poiché il vicino infrarosso riesce a penetrare in modo non distruttivo il tessuto profondo, i biogel di piccolo volume saranno in grado di espandersi o contrarsi su richiesta, creando un controllo temporale e spaziale preciso per applicazioni ad alta tecnologia in ambiti che spaziano dalla rigenerazione dei tessuti alla robotica.
Obiettivo
The controlled behaviour of biological systems in response to external stimuli is ubiquitous in nature and perceived as a key requirement for the development of advanced functional materials. A good example found in nature is the so-called “sensitive plant” (Mimosa) that responds to touch by rapidly closing its leaves, as a defense mechanisms against herbivores. This quick response to touch is due to rapid water release from specialized cells located at the leaves. In attempt to mimic nature, 4D-BIOGEL project aims to combine new fully biodegradable water-filled hydrogels with additive manufacturing or 3D printing to design smart materials that can undergo a temporal change in their shape under the influence of an external stimulus, giving a 4th dimension to the previously designed 3D object. Light-sensitive structures activated by near-infrared (NIR) are especially appealing, since light can be conveniently pinpointed to the location of interest with the maximum depth of penetration and the minimum damage of tissues. To obtain NIR-sensitive hydrogels, nanoparticles capable of converting light into heat will be incorporated into the hydrogel matrix to afford small volume contraction-expansion changes on demand. This advanced technology offers great potential for the creation of sophisticated dynamic structures with high resolution that could find application not only in regenerative medicine or drug-delivery, but also in robotics or bioelectronics.
The 24-month outgoing phase will take place at the University of Washington in Seattle, under the supervision of Dr. Alshakim Nelson - one of the top-class researchers in 3D and 4D printing of hydrogels. The final goal is that during the third year of the fellowship, under the guidance of Dr. Haritz Sardon at the University of the Basque Country in Spain (BERC-POLYMAT), Dr. Eva Sanchez can translate all the expertise acquired about the innovative fields of 3D and 4D bioprinting to Europe, where there is a clear need.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-IF-GF - Global FellowshipsCoordinatore
48940 Leioa
Spagna