BioCell Research
AIM
Our work focuses on the development of new strategies and tools (scaffolds, bioreactors, etc.) for skeletal and cardiac muscular tissue engineering in an effort to:
- develop in vitro model systems to reach a fundamental understanding of tissues growth mechanisms and structure-function relationships in physiological and pathological conditions;
- develop in vitro functional biological substitutes able to restore, maintain or improve irreversibly compromised tissue function.
DESCRIPTION
According to the so-called “contact guidance theory”, we designed and realized a novel elastomeric scaffold, relying on the use of a biodegradable biocompatible block polyesterurethane (DegraPol®) processed in the form of microporous foams for cardiac applications and microfibrous electrospun membranes for skeletal ones.
In order to produce forceful and functional 3D muscular tissues, we also designed and realized two innovative dynamic culture systems (bioreactors) able to deliver to the constructs the physical stimuli and biochemical signals that prevail during normal in vivo organogenesis and growth, providing a comprehensive level of monitoring and control over culture environmental factors. Alternatively moving the constructs in culture between a gaseous (air) and a liquid (medium) phase, the first device - BREATH - allows an adequate nutrients’ transfer and increased oxygenation of cells and culture medium, improving cell viability and proliferation. The second bioreactor - CAMELOT - is capable of applying alternative or contemporaneous mechanical and electrical stimulation, promoting proper differentiation and maturation of the developing tissues.
Culturing differentiated line myoblasts (C2C12) and cardiac precursor line cells (P19CL6), we are currently investigating the effects of dynamic culture in the developed bioreactors and progressively improving our culture model systems.
PUBLICATIONS/PATENTS
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Riboldi S.A. et al., Electrospun degradable polyesterurethane membranes: potential
scaffolds for skeletal muscle tissue engineering. Biomaterials 26 (2005): 4606-4615
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Mantero S. et al., A new electro-mechanical bioreactor for soft tissue engineering.
JABB 2007, in press
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Doctoral final dissertation by S.A. Riboldi: A novel culture model system to induce
myogenesis in vitro: new perspectives for skeletal muscle tissue engineering.
GRANTS
MIUR 2005: “Design and validation of bioreactors for the generation of physical stimuli to drive cellular proliferation and differentiation”.
CONTACT US
Sara Mantero
Adelaide Asnaghi
Christian Barani
Nasser Sadr
Stefania Riboldi
Stefano Lorenzoni
PARTNERSHIP
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Department of Materials - Polymers, ETH Zurich , Zurich - Switzerland
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SCRI - HSR, Milano - G. Cossu M.D. Fondazione San Raffaele
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BEL Bioengineering Laboratories, Cantù (CO) - F. Greco Eng.D.
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ab medica, Mazzo di Rho (MI) - P. Neuenschwander Ph.D.
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T.O.R.- Tissue and Organ Replacement, Udine – Prof. F. Curcio
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Istituto per le Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Bergamo - A. Remuzzi Eng.D.
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Politecnico di Torino, Torino - Prof. F.M. Montevecchi
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Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano -
F. Acocella V.D.
Links
BioBOX Project, Politecnico di Milano -
Dipartimento di Bioingegneria
