Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoyi Lan, Yan Liang, Esra J. N. Erkut, Melanie Kunze, Aillette Mulet-Sierra, Tianxing Gong, Martin Osswald, Khalid Ansari, Hadi Seikaly, Yaman Boluk, Adetola B. Adesida
Summary: Skin cancer patients with tumorigenic lesions on their noses often require surgical resection resulting in nasal cartilage removal. Autologous tissue-engineered nasal cartilage grafts can help mitigate the problem, despite the issue of inhomogeneous distribution of cartilage matrix. Advances in 3D bioprinting technology offer customizable and anatomically shaped cartilages without the distribution issues.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Cristina Antich, Gema Jimenez, Juan de Vicente, Elena Lopez-Ruiz, Carlos Chocarro-Wrona, Carmen Grinan-Lison, Esmeralda Carrillo, Elvira Montanez, Juan A. Marchal
Summary: The development of a novel biomimetic hydrogel based on decellularized extracellular matrix derived from mesenchymal stem cells for cartilage tissue engineering has shown excellent biocompatibility and the ability to induce chondrogenesis without supplemental factors. This hydrogel also demonstrated the potential to form hyaline cartilage-like tissue after in vivo implantation, highlighting its promise for cartilage repair and regeneration applications.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sarah A. Schoonraad, Kristine M. Fischenich, Kevin N. Eckstein, Victor Crespo-Cuevas, Lea M. Savard, Archish Muralidharan, Andrew A. Tomaschke, Asais Camila Uzcategui, Mark A. Randolph, Robert R. McLeod, Virginia L. Ferguson, Stephanie J. Bryant
Summary: Successful 3D scaffold designs for musculoskeletal tissue engineering require careful consideration of tissue form and function. This study presents a method that separates mechanical and biochemical needs, allowing for independent development of structural and cellular niches in scaffolds. Using digital light processing-based stereolithography, complex structures with varied porosities and moduli are achieved, filled with mesenchymal stem cells and biomimetic hydrogels for guided tissue differentiation. This approach demonstrates the potential to repair chondral defects and support multi-tissue scaffold development for osteochondral tissue engineering.
Article
Polymer Science
Kanyakorn Riewruja, Alyssa M. M. Aguglia, Sophie Hines, Meagan J. J. Makarcyzk, Sittisak Honsawek, Hang Lin
Summary: This study successfully enhanced the mechanical strength of gelatin/hyaluronic acid (GH) scaffolds by infiltrating polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and photoinitiators. The PEG-GH hybrid scaffolds displayed good integration capacity and provide a new tool for the repair of chondral injury.
Article
Biology
Victor Sevastianov, Yulia B. Basok, Ludmila A. Kirsanova, Alexey M. Grigoriev, Alexandra D. Kirillova, Evgeniy A. Nemets, Anastasia M. Subbot, Sergey Gautier
Summary: The study compared the ability of MSCs from human adipose tissue to differentiate into chondrocytes in vitro and stimulate articular cartilage regeneration in a rabbit knee osteoarthrosis model. The findings demonstrated that MCH is more conducive to stimulating cartilage repair by MSCs, while DPC acts as an inducer for MSCs to form cartilage-like tissue in vitro.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Zheng, Yan Xie, Toru Yoshitomi, Naoki Kawazoe, Yingnan Yang, Guoping Chen
Summary: This study investigated different microenvironmental conditions for the controlled proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The results showed that collagen sponges promoted cell proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. Combining collagen sponges with collagen hydrogels and induction factors had the highest promotive effect on chondrogenic differentiation. These findings provide useful information for stem cell chondrogenic differentiation and cartilage tissue engineering.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Laurine Valot, Marie Maumus, Luc Brunel, Jean Martinez, Muriel Amblard, Daniele Noel, Ahmad Mehdi, Gilles Subra
Summary: Researchers have developed a biomimetic chemical hydrogel based on silylated collagen-mimetic synthetic peptides, which successfully encapsulated MSCs and improved mechanical properties, resulting in prolonged survival of the embedded cells and enhanced expression of chondrocyte markers. This long-standing hybrid hydrogel shows promise as a synthetic and modular scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Parisa Ghandforoushan, Jalal Hanaee, Zahra Aghazadeh, Mohammad Samiei, Amir Mohammad Navali, Ali Khatibi, Soodabeh Davaran
Summary: Treating cartilage degenerative disorders is a longstanding challenge in orthopedic medicine due to the limited capacity for self-regeneration in cartilage. This study aimed to develop a nanocomposite biomaterial that enhances growth factor delivery to injured cartilage sites. The findings suggest that the developed nanocomposite hydrogel can serve as a supportive platform for promoting differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenguang Wang, Yanbin Shi, Guimei Lin, Bingtao Tang, Xuelin Li, Jing Zhang, Xinbing Ding, Guangzhen Zhou
Summary: This paper discusses the application of hydrogels in cartilage repair, including their mechanical properties and materials used. The challenges faced by hydrogels and future research directions are also discussed.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiahang Wu, Taijun Chen, Yingying Wang, Jiafan Bai, Chenwen Lao, Minyue Luo, Mingxia Chen, Wenzhen Peng, Wei Zhi, Jie Weng, Jianxin Wang
Summary: This study aimed to promote tissue regeneration by designing a biomimetic hydrogel with piezoelectric and antibacterial properties through the incorporation of piezoelectric materials and silver nanowires. The results showed enhanced repair effect of osteochondral defects, indicating the potential application of bionics principle- and piezoelectric effect-based osteochondral tissue engineering.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vadym Burchak, Fritz Koch, Leonard Siebler, Sonja Haase, Verena K. Horner, Xenia Kempter, G. Bjoern Stark, Ute Schepers, Alisa Grimm, Stefan Zimmermann, Peter Koltay, Sandra Strassburg, Gunter Finkenzeller, Filip Simunovic, Florian Lampert
Summary: This study evaluated the printability and biocompatibility of a semi-synthetic hydrogel system (GelNB/GelS) for bioprinting of adipose-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). The results showed that GelNB/GelS hydrogels supported ASCs viability, proliferation and differentiation. The mechanical properties of GelNB/GelS system influenced the differentiation fate of ASCs. The hydrogel system may have potential applications in in vivo tissue engineering.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongqiu Wei, Bo Zhang, Ming Lei, Zhe Lu, Jupen Liu, Baolin Guo, You Yu
Summary: A straightforward and low-cost visible-lightmediated nano-biomineralization strategy was developed for rapid preparation of Biomineralized tough hydrogels (BTHs). This strategy allows for the improvement of mechanical and biological properties of BTHs, making them suitable for applications such as skin repair and bone regeneration.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zhuo Li, Haixing Wang, Kunyu Zhang, Boguang Yang, Xian Xie, Zhengmeng Yang, Lingchi Kong, Peng Shi, Yuan Zhang, Yi-Ping Ho, Zhi-Yong Zhang, Gang Li, Liming Bian
Summary: The research assembled a biomimetic hyaluronic acid nanocomposite hydrogel with bisphosphonates (BPs), and demonstrated its expedited release of BPs in an acidic environment. The in vitro studies showed that the hydrogel inhibits mature osteoclastic differentiation, while promoting the initial differentiation of primary macrophages to preosteoclasts. In vivo evaluation confirmed the hydrogel's ability to enhance in situ bone regeneration.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Gerke H. Schuiringa, Marko Mihajlovic, Corrinus C. van Donkelaar, Tina Vermonden, Keita Ito
Summary: This study explores a new approach using methacrylated natural polymer hydrogel to mimic the load-bearing properties of cartilage. The results show that using this hydrogel construct can reduce the volumetric swelling of the hydrogel and achieve similar moduli and time constants compared to native bovine cartilage after 28 days.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yiwen Xi, Prashant Kumar Sharma, Hans Jan Kaper, Chang-Hwan Choi
Summary: The study investigated the tribological properties of micropored pHEMA under physiologically relevant conditions, finding that it significantly reduced frictional energy dissipation at relatively high loads and sliding speeds. This was attributed to the greater amount and retentivity of the interfacial fluid supported by the free water squeezed out of micropores with smaller dimensions under higher load and sliding speed.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Wei S. Tan, Axel C. Moore, Molly M. Stevens
Summary: This study explores the design requirements for mimicking articular cartilage by developing in silico models and fitting them to experimental data, and suggests that fiber-reinforced poroelastic materials are essential for physiological poroelastic mimics of articular cartilage.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rujie Sun, Xin Song, Kun Zhou, Yuyang Zuo, Richard Wang, Omar Rifaie-Graham, David J. Peeler, Ruoxiao Xie, Yixuan Leng, Hongya Geng, Giulia Brachi, Yun Ma, Yutong Liu, Lorna Barron, Molly M. Stevens
Summary: This study presents a versatile platform for fabricating fillable microrobots using microfluidic loading and dip sealing (MLDS), which allows for encapsulating different types of cargoes within hollow microrobots and protecting the cargo integrity. The technique is supported by high-resolution 3D printing and an integrated microfluidic loading system, enabling a highly precise loading process and improved cargo loading capacity. The MLDS platform offers new opportunities for targeted drug delivery, environmental sensing, and chemically powered micromotor applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Catherine Saunders, James E. J. Foote, Jonathan P. Wojciechowski, Ana Cammack, Simon V. Pedersen, James J. Doutch, Hanna M. G. Barriga, Margaret N. Holme, Jelle Penders, Mohamed Chami, Adrian Najer, Molly M. Stevens
Summary: The intrinsic heterogeneity of many nanoformulations poses challenges in characterizing them at both the single particle and population levels. However, the development of advanced techniques, such as label-free single particle automated Raman trapping analysis (SPARTA), can provide valuable information in understanding and describing nanomedicine heterogeneity. This technique allows for simultaneous measurement of the nanocarrier and cargo, enabling the characterization of loading and release heterogeneity in nanomedicines.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
A. C. Moore, M. G. Hennessy, L. P. Nogueira, S. J. Franks, M. Taffetani, H. Seong, Y. K. Kang, W. S. Tan, G. Miklosic, R. El Laham, K. Zhou, L. Zharova, J. R. King, B. Wagner, H. J. Haugen, A. Munch, M. M. Stevens
Summary: This paper reports on the development of an engineered poroelastic material that begins to approach physiological performance. The material achieved a mean peak fluid load fraction of 68%, displayed consistency with mixture theory, and demonstrated cytocompatibility. This work creates a foundation for designing poroelastic cartilage implants and developing scaffold systems to study chondrocyte mechanobiology and tissue engineering.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alvaro Fernandez-Galiana, Olga Bibikova, Simon Vilms Pedersen, Molly M. Stevens
Summary: This paper comprehensively introduces the theoretical and practical background of Raman spectroscopy and its advanced variants. It highlights the various aspects of material characterization that Raman scattering can reveal and emphasizes its potential in biomedical material design and development. Additionally, practical recommendations on the integration of Raman techniques into the experimental laboratory toolbox are provided.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adam Creamer, Alessandra Lo Fiego, Alice Agliano, Lino Prados-Martin, Hakon Hogset, Adrian Najer, Daniel. A. A. Richards, Jonathan. P. P. Wojciechowski, James E. J. Foote, Nayoung Kim, Amy Monahan, Jiaqing Tang, Andre Shamsabadi, Lea N. C. Rochet, Ioanna. A. A. Thanasi, Laura. R. R. de la Ballina, Charlotte. L. L. Rapley, Stephen Turnock, Elizabeth. A. A. Love, Laurence Bugeon, Margaret. J. J. Dallman, Martin Heeney, Gabriela Kramer-Marek, Vijay Chudasama, Federico Fenaroli, Molly. M. M. Stevens
Summary: This study describes a simple method for obtaining colloidally stable and low-fouling semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) by grafting poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) onto the polymer backbone. The functionalized SPNs can be specifically targeted to HER2-positive cancer cells by site-specifically clicking anti-HER2 antibodies, antibody fragments, or affibodies onto the SPN surface. In zebrafish embryos, the PEGylated SPNs show excellent circulation efficiency and the affibody-functionalized SPNs exhibit specific targeting towards HER2-expressing cancer cells in a xenograft model. This covalent PEGylated SPN system holds great potential for cancer theranostics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andre Shamsabadi, Tabasom Haghighi, Sara Carvalho, Leah C. C. Frenette, Molly M. M. Stevens
Summary: Nanozymes are nanosized materials that have catalytic properties similar to biological enzymes, making them promising candidates for clinical sensing devices. They can amplify signals in nanosensor-based platforms and improve sensor detection limits. Recent developments have led to highly effective nanozymes that can detect clinically relevant biomarkers, but there are hurdles to overcome before they can be used in clinical diagnostics. This overview discusses the current understanding of nanozymes for disease diagnostics and biosensing applications, and the challenges that need to be addressed for their translation into clinical tests.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Oystein ovrebo, Miina Ojansivu, Kimmo Kartasalo, Hanna M. G. Barriga, Petter Ranefall, Margaret N. Holme, Molly M. Stevens
Summary: RegiSTORM is a software that accurately registers multiple STORM channels by identifying fiducial markers in the sample and using them as landmarks for channel registration. It has been demonstrated to work effectively with and without fiducials.
BMC BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Taras Sych, Jan Schlegel, Hanna M. G. Barriga, Miina Ojansivu, Leo Hanke, Florian Weber, R. Beklem Bostancioglu, Kariem Ezzat, Herbert Stangl, Birgit Plochberger, Jurga Laurencikiene, Samir El Andaloussi, Daniel Fuerth, Molly M. Stevens, Erdinc Sezgin
Summary: Lipid nanoparticles, viruses, exosomes and liposomes can be characterized using fluorescence fluctuations analysis. A method called single-particle profiler is introduced to provide information on the content and biophysical properties of thousands of particles within the size range of 5-200 nm. The single-particle profiler is utilized to measure mRNA encapsulation efficiency of lipid nanoparticles, viral binding efficiencies of different nanobodies, and the biophysical heterogeneity of liposomes, lipoproteins, exosomes and viruses.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sebastien J. P. Callens, Daniel Fan, Ingmar A. J. van Hengel, Michelle Minneboo, Pedro J. Diaz-Payno, Molly M. Stevens, Lidy E. Fratila-Apachitei, Amir A. Zadpoor
Summary: The organization of bone cells in landscapes with varying curvatures was studied, revealing a preference for local concavities, multicellular bridging, and collective stress fiber orientation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Hongya Geng, Emily J. Lupton, Yun Ma, Rujie Sun, Christopher L. Grigsby, Giulia Brachi, Xiaorui Li, Kun Zhou, Daniel J. Stuckey, Molly M. Stevens
Summary: The development of near-infrared light responsive conductive polymers provides a useful theranostic platform for malignant tumors. The self-assembly of ultrathin 2D polypyrrole nanosheets with tunable size distribution enables photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy. The pH-responsive features of the nanosheets show potential for accurate and highly efficient theranostics.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaja I. Ritzau-Reid, Sebastien J. P. Callens, Ruoxiao Xie, Martina Cihova, Daniel Reumann, Christopher L. Grigsby, Lino Prados-Martin, Richard Wang, Axel C. Moore, James P. K. Armstrong, Juergen A. Knoblich, Molly M. Stevens
Summary: 3D organoids are widely used in vitro models for studying human development and disease. However, the current culture methods have limitations in terms of reproducibility and geometric control. A new approach combining stem cell biology and bioengineering is presented, using melt electrospinning writing to generate grid scaffolds that guide the self-organization of pluripotent stem cells. This method allows for high-throughput generation, culture, and analysis of organoids, reducing the time and labor involved in traditional methods.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Junfang Zhang, Yuntao Zhu, Christian Njel, Yuxin Liu, Pietro Dallabernardina, Molly M. Stevens, Peter H. Seeberger, Oleksandr Savateev, Felix F. Loeffler
Summary: In this study, a new synthesis strategy for carbon nitride photoelectrodes was introduced through advanced film generation techniques. This method involved spin coating pretreatment of a conductive substrate with a multipurpose polymer and a supramolecular precursor, followed by chemical vapor deposition to synthesize dual-layer carbon nitride photoelectrodes. The polymer improved the polymerization degree and electrical conductivity of carbon nitride, leading to state-of-the-art photoelectrochemical performance and high yields in C-H functionalization.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tamanna Rahman, Saman Tavana, Nicoleta Baxan, Kay A. Raftery, George Morgan, Thomas P. Schaer, Nigel Smith, Axel Moore, Jonathan Bull, Molly M. Stevens, Nicolas Newell
Summary: This study non-invasively quantified 3D strains within the intervertebral disc (IVD) during different stages of nucleus replacement surgery and found that nucleus removal resulted in disc height loss and increased circumferential strains, which were restored by the nucleus replacement device (NRD). The findings support nucleus replacement surgery as a viable treatment option and provide insights for future clinical trials.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Vernon LaLone, Aleksandra Aizenshtadt, John Goertz, Froydis Sved Skottvoll, Marco Barbero Mota, Junji You, Xiaoyu Zhao, Henriette Engen Berg, Justyna Stokowiec, Minzhi Yu, Anna Schwendeman, Hanne Scholz, Steven Ray Wilson, Stefan Krauss, Molly M. Stevens
Summary: Confocal Raman spectral imaging (RSI) enables label-free visualization of molecules in biological specimens without sample preparation. qRamanomics, an integrated bioanalytical methodology, is developed to quantify the deconvoluted spectra for quantitative spatial chemotyping of biomolecules. It is applied to assess specimen variation and maturity in 3D liver organoids and identify biomolecular response signatures from liver-altering drugs, facilitating drug metabolism and accumulation monitoring.
CELL REPORTS METHODS
(2023)
