Michael Geske

Former Master student

3D printed ADA-GEL scaffolds incorporating with eggshell derived particles for bone tissue engineering applications

 

Supervisors: Dr. Judith A. Roether, Dr. Farnaz Ghorbani, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

 

Alginate dialdehyde (ADA) in combination with gelatine (GEL) is a widely studied system for tissue engineering scaffolds due to its low cost, biocompatibility and tuneable degradation kinetics. However, it lacks the mechanical strength and bioactive properties necessary to effectively mimic bone-like tissue [1]. This study aims to overcome this shortcoming by introducing eggshell particles as an inorganic filler. Eggshell consists of the calcium carbonate-rich shell as well as an eggshell membrane, which contains a number of different biopolymers [2]. This is a naturally occurring, inexpensive, calcium-rich material that has shown in-vitro osteogenic differentiation potential as well as in-vivo bone regeneration [3]. As part of the current study, eggshell particles will be generated and subsequently investigated in terms of in-vitro bioactivity as a possible low cost and sustainable alternative to bioactive glasses/ceramics. Then, particles will be incorporated into 3D printed ADA-GEL scaffolds and will be characterized physicochemically and mechanically to introduce the suitable structure for bone regeneration.