Biocelulose-based Cell Culture Platform

Abstract

Paper, essentially composed by cellulose, is a versatile material used in the biomedical field, specially in diagnostic tests. Currently, paper has been used in the production of cell culture platforms, which can be used to grow several cell strains. This type of device can be used, for example, to investigate cellular responses to drug administration (drug screening), as disease models for the development of suitable treatments, in cell cryopreservation, and also while scaffolds in tissue engineering. The paper surface, however, does not provide adequate cell adhesion. To overcome this issue, paper surface modification becomes an attractive alternative. In this context, bacterial cellulose appears as an interesting material, as it presents high biocompatibility, it exhibits three-dimensional architecture similar to the extracellular matrix through the presence of entangled nanofibrils and it shows more adequate physical and mechanical properties compared to vegetable cellulose. Due to the presence of hydroxyl (OH) groups on the cellulose surface, a wide variety of derivatives can be prepared by modifying its original functional group. In this sense, the present study aims to functionalize the surface of bacterial cellulose by chemical processes followed by the immobilization of growth factor, in order to obtain optimized cell cultures platforms. These platforms will be characterized by Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Infrared and X-ray Excited Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Thermal and Mechanical Analysis, Contact Angle and porosity determination. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the materials produced, in vitro cell adhesion and proliferation assays will be performed. (AU)