Functional biomembranes based on peptides and bottlebrush polymers to tissue engineering

Abstract

This BPE application is directly associated to an approved grant coordinator by the proponent (Young Researcher FAPESP project "Study of nanoparticle-incorporated diamond-like carbon films for biomedical applications" (2011/20345-7)) and other two approved grants in which the proponent is an associated professor, follows: (i) FAPESP-MIT "Novel Nanobiomaterials Based on Tridimensional Peptides with Drug Delivery Properties to Tissue Engineering" (2014/50720-2) and (ii) Young Researcher FAPESP project "Development of Novel Polymeric Scaffolds by Electrospinning with Incorporated Vertically-Aligned Carbon Nanotubes and Nanohidroxyapatite for Bone Regeneration" (2011/17877-7). We have been use synthetic and commercial polymers, which precluded the development of new relevant nanobiomaterials for tissue engineering. During a short stage at MIT (FAPESP-MIT grant), the proponent learned how to develop new polymeric nano-architectures associated to peptides. In the present proposal, we will extend the FAPESP-MIT approved project, including Harvard University. The proponent will propose an association between peptides and bioreabsorbable polymers for functional biomembrane fabrication. Dr. Khademhosseini at Harvard University has a large experience and facilities to produce nanobiomaterials using bioprinting process and in vitro studies of these new nanobiomaterials. The proposed research stage scholarship will be very interesting to involve research's groups, because Laboratory of Biomedical Nanotechnology coordinated by this proponent have experience in polymer extrusion using electrospinning and rotary-jet spinning. Herein, the proponent is proposing to create an innovative technology for manufacturing functional biomembranes. It will be expected to develop a new three-dimensional nanobiomaterial with biomimetic properties that improve bone tissue regeneration and reduce the inflammation process. Biological in vitro and in vivo assays will be performed to rapid translation of our novel materials. Thus, following the methodology of this project, it is expected that this new nanomaterial can: accelerate the regeneration of bone tissue, recruit stem cells, reduce the risk of bacterial contamination and be sufficiently low-cost to be translated into clinical regenerative medicine applications. In addition, it will be expected with the establishment of this proposal that it can help the proponent to expand the research line at University of Vale do Paraiba, seeking the production of new biomimetic materials based on functional peptide nanobiomaterials. Finally, after the proponent come back to Brazil, it is expected to engage undergraduate students, master's and doctoral degree from Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering programs in this new research line. This can facilitate the increase internationalization of graduate and undergraduate programs involving nanobiomaterials applied to tissue engineering researches at University of Vale do Paraiba. (AU)