Annalisa Tirella

The project focuses on the integration of 3D micro/mili-meter sized hydrogels within microfluidic chips.  

Natural-based polymers will be formulated as biomaterial inks and manufactured as hydrogels to match physical properties and composition of human tissues. Hydrogels will be able to encapsualte mammalian cells and be included in microfluidics chips. A perfusion unit will be connenected to the chip, and fluid flow used to trasmit mechanical forces to cells. This bioengineered system will be characterised to match properties of normal and inflammed cardiac tissue.

By the end of the project, the technology will be validated with potential impact on drug discovery, drug screening and high-throughput testing.

The project focuses on the use of emerging manufacturing technologies, such as microfluidics and 3D printing. Natural-based hydrophilic polymers and natural oils will be formulated to control the encapsulation and release of biomolecules.

The project has direct impact on the controlled-release of lipophilic (bio)molecules to direct regeneration of tissues, as well as to control the release of therapeutic agents.

The project focuses on the optimisation of a manufacturing process to derive food-grade polysaccharides from food waste products. Natural-based polysaccharides have been largely used in biomedical applications as hydrogels, and are acquiring an increasingly larger market in the food sector.

During the project, the manufacturing of hydrogels will be characterised and controlled as function of the process paramters, and used to precisely control the shape and the consistency of food (chewiness, rubberiness, crunchiness, etc.). Possibilities to include "flavors" and "nutritional values" in 3D printed edible objects will be also evaluated.

The project focuses on the design, characterisation and validation of alginate-based hydrogels for regenerative medicine applications. The projects stems from a multi-disciplinary collaboration with computer science researchers and biologists.

Ref: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2022.08.074

The research project focuses on the design and optimisation of protocols for the characterisation of alginate-based biomedical products. Considerations and implementation of good laboratory practice concepts, as well as writing of standard operating procedures will be included in the research project.

The research project will be performed at the Department of Industrial Engineering and at the BIOtech centre.

References

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2022.105292

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2022.08.074