Catalina Adler

Visiting student (I.DEAR program, University of Mar del Plata, Argentina)

Mussel-inspired polydopamine decorated silane gelatine-based scaffolds for bone regeneration

 

Supervisor: Dr. Farnaz Ghorbani and Professor Aldo R. Boccaccini (Erlangen), Prof. Gustavo Abraham (Mar del Plata)

Gelatin is a natural polymer with versatile applications in tissue engineering due to its biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, biodegradability, and strong potential for simulation of natural extracellular matrix (ECM). In the present study, the gelatin based scaffolds will be prepared by freeze-drying technique. Then, polydopamine (PDA) will be coated on the surface to enhance the composite constructs’ hydrophilicity, bioactivity, and cellular behavior. Also, using a bioactive cross-linker can synergistically affect the mineralization of hydroxyapatite-like layers, one of the main compositions of natural bone. Eventually, the prepared constructs will be characterized using a range of physicochemical, mechanical, and biological analyses, including morphology observation, chemical characterization, mechanical strength, water-scaffold interaction, biodegradation, bioactivity, and cellular behavior.