Ricerc@Sapienza

Functionalization of scaffolds with NaOH-based solution can improve bone regeneration.

Scaffolds are three-dimensional porous structures that must have specific requirements to be applied in tissue engineering. Therefore, the study of factors affecting scaffold performance is of great importance. In this work, the optimal conditions for cross-linking preformed chitosan (CS) scaffolds by the tripolyphosphate polyanion (TPP) were investigated. The effect on scaffold physico-chemical properties of different concentrations of chitosan (1 and 2% w/v) and tripolyphosphate (1 and 2% w/v) as well as of cross-linking reaction times (2, 4, or 8 h) were studied.

Tissue engineering is a highly interdisciplinary field of medicine aiming at regenerating damaged tissues by combining cells with porous scaffolds materials. Scaffolds are templates for tissue regeneration and should ensure suitable cell adhesion and mechanical stability throughout the application period. Chitosan (CS) is a biocompatible polymer highly investigated for scaffold preparation but suffers from poor mechanical strength.

The effect of scaffold pore size and interconnectivity as well as porosity are undoubtedly crucial factors for most tissue engineering applications. This premise is the basis of worldwide efforts that have been spent to develop increasingly sophisticate fabrication techniques to control the scaffold microarchitecture and build efficient synthetic analogues of extracellular matrix.

Traumatic amputation of a digital segment with bone loss leaves a patient in severe disability. The degree of disfigurement and
function loss of the hand can be severe and permanent. In general, single-digit replantation is recommended only in selected
circumstances. Reconstructive procedures are restricted by limited shape and have the disadvantage of severe donor site
morbidity. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a tissue engineering approach to create the missing bone phalanx,

tecnologia che nell’ambito di quella branca della scienza e tecnologia nota come ingegneria tissutale (TE) si sta imponendo in misura crescente grazie alla potenzialità che offre di replicare la complessità isto-morfologica dei tessuti umani. Il bioprinting rappresenta l’aspetto più moderno delle tecnologie di prototipazione rapida (RP) applicate al TE.