Article
Polymer Science
Amin Khalili, Rocheny Noziere, Emma Tuberty Vaughn, Joseph Warren Freeman
Summary: This study aims to reduce the input voltage required for movement by layering conductive nanocomposite material and to evaluate its performance in angular movement, electrical properties, and cell biocompatibility. The results show that the addition of conductive nanocomposite material increases the movement of the hydrogel and enhances cell metabolic activity, providing an initial step for the design of actuation-capable scaffolds in tissue engineering.
POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Scott J. Allan, Marianne J. Ellis, Paul A. De Bank
Summary: This study introduces a natural scaffold material derived from decellularized amenity grass, which can support cell attachment, proliferation, alignment, and differentiation without additional functionalization. The material is cost-effective and sustainable, making it an ideal option for tissue engineering applications where influencing cell alignment is desired, particularly for skeletal muscle and other anisotropic tissues.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Natalie G. Kozan, Mrunmayi Joshi, Sydnee T. Sicherer, Jonathan M. Grasman
Summary: This article reviews the methods and materials used for fabricating porous biomaterial scaffolds for skeletal muscle regeneration. It discusses the current state of skeletal muscle tissue engineering and provides guidelines for scaffold fabrication based on functional requirements.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lanting Wei, Xiang Wang, Junjie Fu, Jian Yin, Jing Hu
Summary: The current therapy for muscle injury is facing challenges in tissue self-regeneration and function restoration. Tissue engineering using natural polysaccharides as scaffolds shows promise in treating skeletal muscular disorders. A 3D hydrogel scaffold based on the double network of sodium alginate, chitosan, and calcium ions has been developed. The physical, mechanical, and biological properties of the hydrogel scaffold can be adjusted by altering the ratios of the components. The scaffold supports cell growth and attachment, making it a potential printable material for skeletal muscle tissue engineering.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Franco Tacchi, Josue Orozco-Aguilar, Danae Gutierrez, Felipe Simon, Javier Salazar, Cristian Vilos, Claudio Cabello-Verrugio
Summary: Skeletal muscle is crucial for human body function, but pathological conditions like trauma or genetic diseases can impair it. Tissue engineering with biomaterials can promote skeletal muscle regeneration, and new technologies with nanocarriers offer unique therapeutic options.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yaima Campos, Gaston Fuentes, Amisel Almirall, Ivo Que, Timo Schomann, Chih Kit Chung, Carla Jorquera-Cordero, Luis Quintanilla, Jose C. Rodriguez-Cabello, Alan Chan, Luis J. Cruz
Summary: Cartilage diseases are common and often associated with inflammation. This study aimed to use biomaterials, specifically etanercept (ETA)-incorporated porous scaffolds, to control inflammation in cartilage tissue. The scaffolds were constructed using natural polymers and filled with hydroxyapatite. The rheological properties, cell viability, and drug release ability of the scaffolds were evaluated, and the results showed promising outcomes for clinical applications in tissue engineering of cartilage and as a controlled drug delivery system for osteoarthritis.
Review
Biology
Camila Vesga-Castro, Javier Aldazabal, Ainara Vallejo-Illarramendi, Jacobo Paredes
Summary: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in evaluating the contractile force (CF) of engineered muscle tissues, but there are currently no standards available for selecting the most suitable experimental platform, measuring system, culture protocol, or stimulation patterns. Cantilever deflection, post deflection, and force transducers are commonly used configurations for CF assessment, and future studies are recommended to report detailed information on construct size, contractile area, maturity level, sarcomere length, and the tetanus-to-twitch ratio.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Omar Alheib, Lucilia P. da Silva, Alain da Silva Morais, Katia A. Mesquita, Rogerio P. Pirraco, Rui L. Reis, Vitor M. Conrelo
Summary: We developed an injectable gellan gum-based hydrogel that delivers C2C12 into a localized myopathic model. The gellan gum was biofunctionalized with a laminin-derived peptide to mimic the natural muscular extracellular matrix. Furthermore, the hydrogel was physically adjusted to replicate the mechanical properties of native tissue. This formula was utilized for the first time in the field of skeletal muscle tissue regeneration. The injectability of the hydrogel allowed for non-invasive administration, creating a reliable microenvironment that supported C2C12 with minimal inflammation. The treatment of skeletal muscle defects with the cell-laden hydrogel significantly enhanced regeneration of localized muscular trauma.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fan Fei, Haiyan Yao, Yujiang Wang, Junchao Wei
Summary: Poly(lactide)/graphene oxide/parathyroid hormone (1-34) nanofiber membranes were prepared and showed improved tensile strength and alkaline phosphatase activity, making them promising candidate materials for bone tissue engineering.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohamadmahdi Samandari, Jacob Quint, Alejandra Rodriguez-delaRosa, Indranil Sinha, Olivier Pourquie, Ali Tamayol
Summary: Skeletal muscle injuries can lead to mobility limitations and loss of independence, with current treatments showing variable effectiveness. Skeletal muscle tissue engineering and bioprinting are considered promising solutions for reconstructing complex muscle structures and improving functional recovery.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Souzan Salemi, Jenny A. Prange, Valentin Baumgartner, Deana Mohr-Haralampieva, Daniel Eberli
Summary: Tissue engineering has seen significant advancements in recent years, particularly in the application of stem cells for skeletal and smooth muscle cell engineering. The use of adult stem cells for muscle engineering shows promise, but still faces challenges in selecting the appropriate cell type and controlling differentiation and proliferation.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Catherine G. Y. Ngan, Anita Quigley, Richard J. Williams, Cathal D. O'Connell, Romane Blanchard, Mitchell Boyd-Moss, Tim D. Aumann, Penny McKelvie, Gordon G. Wallace, Peter F. M. Choong, Rob M. I. Kapsa
Summary: This study developed a biofabrication technique to engineer muscle for research and clinical applications. It demonstrated myoblast migration through a bioprinted GelMA scaffold, showing cells spontaneously forming fibers on the material surface, leading to advanced maturation of muscle tissue. This methodology has wide applications for in vitro and in vivo neuromuscular function and disease modeling.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Omar Alheib, Lucilia P. da Silva, David Caballero, Ricardo A. Pires, Subhas C. Kundu, Vitor M. Correlo, Rui L. Reis
Summary: Current therapies for skeletal muscle disorders/injuries are limited, necessitating the development of new treatments. Skeletal muscle tissue engineered platforms could provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of skeletal muscle disorders/injuries and the efficacy of new therapies.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Miriam Filippi, Oncay Yasa, Jan Giachino, Reto Graf, Aiste Balciunaite, Lisa Stefani, Robert K. Katzschmann
Summary: Engineered centimeter-scale skeletal muscle tissue is successfully created through bioprinting, allowing the study of muscle pathophysiology and various applications in biomedicine. The design includes perfusable channels for cell survival, mechanical cell stimulation, and myofiber formation. The biohybrid structures coprinted with synthetic elements demonstrate coherent interfaces with living tissue, and the perfusable designs ensure cell viability and enable mechanical tension during matrix remodeling for drug distribution studies.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Janine Tomasch, Babette Maleiner, Philipp Heher, Manuel Rufin, Orestis G. Andriotis, Philipp J. Thurner, Heinz Redl, Christiane Fuchs, Andreas H. Teuschl-Woller
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the influence of apparent elastic properties of fibrin scaffolds on myoblasts and evaluate if those effects differ between murine and human cells. The results showed that the elastic modulus of fibrin hydrogels had different effects on myoblast proliferation and differentiation, with a more pronounced impact on human cells in a 3D environment compared to 2D. Furthermore, the differentiation potential of human myoblasts was significantly impaired when incorporated into 3D gels. These findings provide insights into the cellular behavior and myogenic outcome of skeletal muscle tissue engineering approaches, highlighting the need for adjusting 3D culture parameters when working with human cells.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Francesca Giulimondi, Erica Quagliarini, Luca Digiacomo, Serena Renzi, Valentina Palmieri, Massimiliano Papi, Daniela Pozzi, Giulio Caracciolo
Summary: This article discusses the impact of interoperator variability and the use of automated systems on biomolecular corona studies, and investigates the effects of molecular crowding and washing the pellet during corona isolation in nanoparticle-biofluid incubation. The findings are believed to be important for improving the accuracy of experimental design and reporting.
PARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Flavio De Maio, Giulia Santarelli, Valentina Palmieri, Giordano Perini, Alessandro Salustri, Ivana Palucci, Giovanni Delli Carpini, Alberto Augello, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Marco De Spirito, Michela Sali, Giovanni Delogu, Massimiliano Papi
Summary: Respiratory tract infections are the leading cause of death from infectious diseases globally, with COVID-19 adding to the burden of existing respiratory tract infections like tuberculosis. Graphene and curcumin can be used to create fabric coatings on cotton and polyester, providing personal protective equipment that is resistant to infectious agents.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Valentina Palmieri, Francesco Amato, Andrea Giacomo Marrani, Ginevra Friggeri, Giordano Perini, Alberto Augello, Marco De Spirito, Massimiliano Papi
Summary: Graphene Oxide (GO) is an oxidized form of graphene that contains various oxygen functional groups. The solubility of GO in water makes it an ideal material in the biomedical field, but the synthesis methods used can affect the balance of oxygen groups and the impact on cells. Spectroscopic techniques are commonly used to characterize GO, but they have limitations in indicating its reactivity with polymers or biological media. In this study, a colorimetric method based on GO's reactivity with copper ions was developed to evaluate the oxidation degree and accessibility of polymeric samples. This technique will be crucial for scaffold characterization in tissue engineering and studying interactions between GO-related materials and biological entities.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Massimiliano Papi, Marco De Spirito, Valentina Palmieri
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted collaboration between nanotechnology scientists, industry stakeholders, and clinicians to find solutions for SARS-CoV-2 infections. Carbon-based materials (CBM) like graphene and carbon nanotubes have shown potential in viral research due to their unique effects on microorganisms and immune interaction. This review explores the interaction of CBM with SARS-CoV-2, including their physical and chemical properties, known interactions with viral components, and potential applications in prevention, treatment, and diagnostics.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Alessio Abeltino, Giada Bianchetti, Cassandra Serantoni, Alessia Riente, Marco De Spirito, Giuseppe Maulucci
Summary: Nutrition is a crucial aspect of medicine, affecting various health conditions. Digital medicine utilizes digital twins, which are replicas of human physiology, to prevent and treat diseases. This study compared different models for the deployment of Personalized Metabolic Avatars, with GRUs and LSTMs showing the best predictive performance and acceptable computational times. The Transformer model did not significantly improve predictive performance but increased computational time, while the SARIMAX model had the best computational time but worst predictive performance.
Article
Oncology
Giordano Perini, Valentina Palmieri, Ginevra Friggeri, Alberto Augello, Marco De Spirito, Massimiliano Papi
Summary: Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are biocompatible nanoparticles with excellent size and photophysical properties, widely used in the biomedical field. Surface-functionalized GQDs enhance membrane fluidity and intracellular uptake, showing a synergistic effect with antitumor drugs at subtherapeutic doses. Combined with chemotherapy, GQDs can significantly enhance the antitumor effect and stimulate the immune system against tumors in a 3D model.
CANCER NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Margherita Cacaci, Damiano Squitieri, Valentina Palmieri, Riccardo Torelli, Giordano Perini, Michela Campolo, Maura Di Vito, Massimiliano Papi, Brunella Posteraro, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Francesca Bugli
Summary: The antimicrobial activity of graphene oxide (GO) and curcumin-graphene oxide (GO/CU) against C. parapsilosis was evaluated for the first time. The results showed that GO/CU has anti-planktonic, anti-adhesive, and anti-biofilm properties, with a 72% reduction in cell viability and an 85% decrease in extracellular substances (EPS) secretion after 72 hours of incubation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Davide Pierangeli, Giordano Perini, Valentina Palmieri, Ivana Grecco, Ginevra Friggeri, Marco De Spirito, Massimiliano Papi, Eugenio DelRe, Claudio Conti
Summary: The authors discovered that tumor-cell spheroids exhibit optical rogue waves under randomly modulated laser beam illumination. The intensity of transmitted light follows a Weibull statistical distribution, with extreme events corresponding to localized optical modes propagating within the cell network. These nonlinear optical filaments form high-transmission channels and can be used to achieve controlled temperature increase. This study sheds light on optical propagation in biological aggregates and demonstrates the potential of using rogue waves in biomedical applications.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Francesco Amato, Giordano Perini, Ginevra Friggeri, Alberto Augello, Alessandro Motta, Leonardo Giaccari, Robertino Zanoni, Marco De Spirito, Valentina Palmieri, Andrea Giacomo Marrani, Massimiliano Papi
Summary: Graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide are widely used carbon nanomaterials in biomedicine. However, the hydrophobic behavior of reduced graphene oxide limits its stability in biological media. In this study, sodium ascorbate is used as a reducing agent to prepare reduced graphene oxide with improved stability and suitability for applications in cell culture media.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Alessia Riente, Alessio Abeltino, Cassandra Serantoni, Giada Bianchetti, Marco De Spirito, Stefano Capezzone, Rosita Esposito, Giuseppe Maulucci
Summary: We developed a non-invasive device that evaluates personalized chewing styles by analyzing various aspects. The device provides valuable insights into personalized chewing profiles and could modify unhealthy chewing habits.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roberto Matassa, Marta Gatti, Martina Crociati, Roberto Brunelli, Ezio Battaglione, Massimiliano Papi, Marco De Spirito, Stefania Annarita Nottola, Giuseppe Familiari
Summary: The ability of branched glycoprotein filaments to change their hierarchical organization through external stimuli expands understanding of self-assembling strategies that can rearrange networks. This research focuses on the morpho-structural changes of the zona pellucida and its self-assembled filament networks, revealing controlled levels of structured organizations during different stages of oocyte development. The changes are regulated by the nanostructured polymorphisms of the branched filaments and controlled by self-extension/-contraction/-bending processes.
