Stem cells respond to different biochemical and physical stimuli, which impact on their expansion, differentiation and secretory profile when used as therapeutic agents, in disease models or for drug screening. At SCERG, we aim to develop and apply tailor-made platforms, comprising engineered biomaterials and designed devices, in the field of Regenerative and Precision Medicine. Synthetic, natural and hybrid polymers have been used in the construction of scaffolds to provide cues to direct cell organization and function. Electrospinning is currently being used to produce nanofiber matrices able to mimic structural and topological aspects of the extracellular matrix, promoting cell-cell and cell-material interactions [1]. Extrusion of tridimensional structures is being explored to build scaffolds with highly interconnected pores at microscale [2] and prototyping devices. Cell encapsulation or cultivation in hydrogels promotes tridimensional interaction of single cells or spheroids in softer and highly hydrated matrices. Additionally, we also aim to develop polymeric matrices able to provide time dependent stimuli to the cells at physiologic conditions. Devices are being designed and prototyped to control hydrodynamic and mechanic stimuli to cells cultured on scaffolds. We are particularly interested in the use electrical conductive polymers to provide electrical stimulation to cells, promoting cell differentiation, organization and communication [3]. Decellularization strategies are also being developed to produce acellular bioscaffolds for Tissue Engineering settings, including the use of bioscaffold-derived soluble products [4].
Selected publications:
[1] Canadas, R.F., Cavalhieor, J.M.B.T., Guerreiro, J.D.T, de Almeida, M.C.M.D, Pollet, E., da Silva, C.L., da Fonseca, M.M.R, Ferreira, F.C. Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Waste glycerol upgrade into electrospun fibrous scaffolds for stem cells culture. Int J Biol Macromol 71:131-140 (2014).
[2] Moura, C.S., Silva, C.L., Bártolo, P.J., Ferreira, F.C. Combination of 3D Extruded-based Poly (ɛ-caprolactone) Scaffolds with Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells: Strategy Optimization. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Tissue Engineering (ICTE2015), Procedia Eng 110:122-127 (2015).
[3] Pires, F., Ferreira, Q., Rodrigues, C.A.V., Morgado, J., Ferreira, F.C. Neural stem cells differentiation by electrical stimulation using a cross-linked PEDOT substrate: expanding the use of biocompatible conjugated conductive polymers for neural tissue engineering. BBA-Gen Subjects 1850:1158-1168 (2015).
[4] Simões, I.N., Vale, P., Soker, S., Atala, A., Keller, D., Noiva, R., Carvalho, S., Peleteiro, C., Cabral, J.M.S., Eberli, D., da Silva, C.L., Baptista, P.M. Acellular Urethra Bioscaffold: Decellularization of Whole Urethras for Tissue Engineering Applications. Sci Rep 7:41934 (2017).