Naikun Fan

Master student

Optimization of mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticle based composite coatings for 3D scaffolds

Supervisors: Sena Harmancı and Prof. Dr. Aldo R. Boccaccini

The integration of mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) into hydrogel coatings on 3D scaffolds made of polycaprolactone (PCL) represents a promising strategy for enhancing soft tissue engineering. This project aims to optimize such scaffolds by adjusting the pore architectures and the MBGN concentration and distribution within alginate dialdehyde-gelatin (ADA-GEL)-based hydrogels. The hydrogel has adjustable characteristics, controllable degradation, antimicrobial properties, and appropriate mechanical properties for applications in tissue engineering [1]. The unique physicochemical properties of MBGNs, including their ability to enhance osteoconductivity and support angiogenesis, are critical in promoting tissue regeneration and integration within host tissues [2]. Additive manufacturing allows for precise scaffold architecture, providing an ideal framework for uniform MBGN incorporation. Early results indicate that scaffolds with an optimized ratio of MBGNs support cell growth and enhance biodegradability aligned with the natural healing process, making them suitable candidates for future clinical applications in orthopedics and trauma surgery [3]. This study uses various techniques to evaluate the mechanical properties, antibacterial properties, biodegradability, and bioactivity of the coated scaffolds.

[1]   Ege, D.; Boccaccini, A.R. Investigating the Effect of Processing and Material Parameters of Alginate Dialdehyde-Gelatin (ADA-GEL)-Based Hydrogels on Stiffness by XGB Machine Learning Model. Bioengineering 2024, 11, 415.

 [2]   Rottensteiner, U., Sarker, B., Heusinger, D., et al., “In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of alginate dialdehyde/gelatin hydrogels with and without nanoscaled bioactive glass for bone tissue engineering applications,” Materials, vol. 7, pp. 1957-1974, 2014.

 [3] Kong, X., Zhu, D., Hu, Y., et al., “Melt electrowriting (MEW)-PCL composite three-dimensional exosome hydrogel scaffold for wound healing,” Materials & Design, vol. 238, article 112717, 2024.