Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Petr Rozhin, Simone Adorinni, Daniel Iglesias, Tino Mackiol, Slavko Kralj, Matteo Bisetto, Michela Abrami, Mario Grassi, Manuela Bevilacqua, Paolo Fornasiero, Silvia Marchesan
Summary: Carbon nanostructures are modified to improve their dispersibility in aqueous conditions and favor the formation of hydrogels. The morphology and functionalization effects of the nanostructures are studied to understand their impact on the self-healing ability of the hydrogel and peptide fibrillation in aqueous buffer.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Anna Puiggali-Jou, Maryam Asadikorayem, Katharina Maniura-Weber, Marcy Zenobi-Wong
Summary: Acellular heterogeneous granular hydrogels were developed for promoting cell migration and cartilage tissue maturation. The hydrogels were prepared by mechanical sizing of methacrylated hyaluronic acid and sulfated hyaluronic acid. The addition of growth factor-loaded sulfated microislands guided cell migration and enhanced chondrogenesis.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rui Bai, Jianfeng Liu, Jiao Zhang, Jinmiao Shi, Zhigeng Jin, Yi Li, Xiaoyu Ding, Xiaoming Zhu, Chao Yuan, Bingshui Xiu, Huiliang Liu, Zengqiang Yuan, Zhiqiang Liu
Summary: The study developed a hybrid hydrogel by incorporating single-wall carbon nanotubes into heart-derived extracellular matrixes, reconstructing an augmented integrin-dependent niche to activate integrin-related pathway of seeding cells. The hybrid hydrogels significantly promoted seeding cell adhesion, differentiation, and structural and functional development towards mature cardiac tissues as supporting scaffolds in vitro; and enhanced cardiac differentiation and maturation of stem cells in vivo for improved myocardial regeneration and repair.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Koji Nagahama, Seika Aoyama, Natsumi Ueda, Yuka Kimura, Tokitaka Katayama, Kimika Ono
Summary: This study introduces an approach inspired by biological tissues, where azide-modified living cells are covalently cross-linked with alkyne-modified alginate polymers via bioorthogonal reactions to create self-healing hydrogels. The unique self-healing capabilities of these hydrogels come from cadherin-mediated adhesion between cells within the gel. This research showcases the incorporation of living components into synthetic materials to enhance self-healing properties.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chloe Guilbaud-Chereau, Bhimareddy Dinesh, Laurene Wagner, Olivier Chaloin, Cecilia Menard-Moyon, Alberto Bianco
Summary: Peptide-based hydrogels are widely used in the biomedical field due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, the degradation by proteolytic enzymes limits their in vivo applications. By incorporating extra methylene groups and protecting the terminal amino group, the enzymatic stability of peptide-based hydrogels can be increased. Aromatic dipeptides were found to be able to self-assemble and form stable hydrogels, which were further used for photocontrolled drug release in combination with carbon nanomaterials.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simone Adorinni, Petr Rozhin, Silvia Marchesan
Summary: Carbon nanomaterials, including structures such as fullerenes, nano-onions, nanodots, nanodiamonds, nanohorns, nanotubes, and graphene-based materials, have garnered significant interest in medicine due to their unique electronic and mechanical properties. This review highlights the recent advancements in incorporating carbon nanomaterials into hydrogels to create smart systems capable of responding to various stimuli, with a focus on graphene and carbon nanotubes for applications ranging from sensing and wearable electronics to drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Papon Muangsanit, Victoria Roberton, Eleni Costa, James B. Phillips
Summary: Vascularisation is crucial for nerve tissue engineering to support long-term survival of implanted cells. Constructs containing endothelial cells have shown to promote axonal regeneration and vascularisation across peripheral nerve gaps.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Yang Zhan, Yang Hu, Yu Chen, Quanling Yang, Zhuqun Shi, Chuanxi Xiong
Summary: Nanocellulose has become one of the most attractive matrix materials for flexible supercapacitors, and electrode materials with high capacitance and mechanical flexibility were developed through the in-situ synthesis of polypyrrole. The resulting nanocellulose/carbon nanotube/polypyrrole hydrogels showed promising performance in the field of flexible solid-state supercapacitors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew D. Weems, Erik S. Welf, Meghan K. Driscoll, Felix Y. Zhou, Hanieh Mazloom-Farsibaf, Bo-Jui Chang, Vasanth S. Murali, Gabriel M. Gihana, Byron G. Weiss, Joseph Chi, Divya Rajendran, Kevin M. Dean, Reto Fiolka, Gaudenz Danuser
Summary: Most human cells require anchorage for survival, and loss of cell-substrate adhesion can result in anoikis, a form of programmed cell death. Blebbing, the formation of small hemispherical plasma membrane protrusions, triggers the formation of signalling hubs that confer anoikis resistance by recruiting septin proteins as scaffolds for mutant NRAS and effectors. These signalling hubs activate pro-survival pathways, such as ERK and PI3K. Inhibition of blebs or septins in detached cells causes mislocalization of NRAS, reduced MAPK and PI3K activity, and cell death. Therefore, blebs play a crucial role in providing robust anoikis resistance.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jonathan Edward Dawson, Tina Sellmann, Katrin Porath, Rainer Bader, Ursula van Rienen, Revathi Appali, Rudiger Koehling
Summary: This article investigates the migration of human osteoblasts in a direct current electric field and proposes a computational model to describe this process. The results show that cell-cell interactions and fluctuations in the migration direction promote collective migration of osteoblasts.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Duarte Moura, Ruben F. Pereira, Ines C. Goncalves
Summary: This review summarizes the progress on the bioprinting of 3D hydrogels containing CMs, focusing on the role of CMs on biomaterial ink design and their impact on both the printing process and the biological function of fabricated constructs. Recent findings demonstrate that CMs are versatile materials and have various effects on the properties and functions of bioprinted constructs.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lanfen Chen, Qin Su, Zefeng Wu, Junjie Wang, Guoqiang Zhang, Huaiguo Xue, Jiefeng Gao
Summary: A fabric interleaved composite hydrogel (FICH) was developed for solar interface evaporation (SIE). Acidified carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) were uniformly distributed in the hydrogel, forming hydrogen bonds with macromolecular chains. Water could be continuously pumped into the composite hydrogel through superhydrophilic fabric for SIE with reduced evaporation enthalpy. The thin FICH evaporator exhibited excellent photothermal conversion performance, high evaporation rate, salt resistance, and long-term stability.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Na Chen, Maria Alieva, Tom van der Most, Joelle A. Z. Klazen, Arabel Vollmann-Zwerenz, Peter Hau, Nienke Vrisekoop
Summary: The biopsy or tumor resection for glioblastoma may increase the risk of tumor cell spread. This study found that neutrophils may indirectly contribute to the migration of tumor cells after biopsy by recruiting macrophages. Additionally, the study showed that human neutrophils can directly promote the migration of glioblastoma tumor cells.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Anita Akbarzadeh Solbu, David Caballero, Spyridon Damigos, Subhas C. Kundu, Rui L. Reis, Oyvind Halaas, Aman S. Chahal, Berit L. Strand
Summary: Cell migration plays a crucial role in various biological processes, and recent advancements in materials science have allowed for the development of biomimetic in vitro assays to study cell migration. Three-dimensional hydrogels have been particularly useful in mimicking the extracellular environment and studying cell migration in a more physiologically relevant manner. This article provides an overview of the different types of hydrogels and their characteristics, as well as established methods for cell migration assays and tracking in three-dimensional environments.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fei Fan, Sanjoy Saha, Donny Hanjaya-Putra
Summary: Hydrogels play a crucial role in wound healing by supporting a hydrated environment and promoting better healing outcomes through the incorporation of biomolecules and supporting cells. Various types of hydrogels have been developed and modified to match different stages of wound healing, with challenges related to adoption and future perspectives discussed.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zeyu Luo, Guosheng Tang, Hossein Ravanbakhsh, Wanlu Li, Mian Wang, Xiao Kuang, Carlos Ezio Garciamendez-Mijares, Liming Lian, Sili Yi, Junlong Liao, Maobin Xie, Jie Guo, Zongke Zhou, Yu Shrike Zhang
Summary: This study presents a technique that utilizes cryoprotective bioink to enable direct extrusion bioprinting in the vertical direction. The unique vertical 3D cryo-bioprinting technique allows the creation of freestanding constructs with anisotropic microchannels, enhancing cell viability and growth. This technique has broad applications in interface tissue engineering and shows potential in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and personalized therapeutics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zixin He, Qiman Gao, Anna Henley, Zovinar Der Khatchadourian, Wendy Somerville, Michael Wiseman, Luc Mongeau, Faleh Tamimi
Summary: Aerosol particles generated by dental procedures can potentially transmit infectious diseases and contain carcinogens. This study aimed to quantify aerosols produced during drilling and scaling procedures and evaluate measures for aerosol reduction. The results showed that high-volume evacuators (HVEs) and air purifiers effectively reduced aerosol concentration, with the best reduction achieved by using both measures simultaneously.
AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingli Qu, Xiaoli Zhang, Hossein Ravanbakhsh, Guosheng Tang, Jian Zhang, Yankang Deng, Kevin Braeckmans, Stefaan C. De Smedt, Ranhua Xiong, Chaobo Huang
Summary: Core-shell multicompartmental microparticles resembling eukaryotic cells have been created using an oil-free gas-shearing fabrication method. The resulting mangosteen-like particles have segregated compartments, making them suitable for controlling enzymatic cascade reactions. This approach shows potential for applications like developing artificial pancreatic beta cells for insulin release.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sepideh Mohammadi, Hossein Ravanbakhsh, Sareh Taheri, Guangyu Bao, Luc Mongeau
Summary: This study reports the use of hybrid nanocomposite microgels containing interleukin-10 (IL-10) to modulate tissue macrophage phenotype during wound healing. The microgels, which have tissue-mimetic elasticity and interconnected micropores, promote fibroblast proliferation and migration. The incorporation of hyaluronic acid further enhances macrophage infiltration. These microgels show potential for regenerative healing by harnessing the antifibrotic behavior of host macrophages.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sareh Taheri, Guangyu Bao, Zixin He, Sepideh Mohammadi, Hossein Ravanbakhsh, Larry Lessard, Jianyu Li, Luc Mongeau
Summary: The study successfully addresses the long-standing challenge in regenerative medicine by fabricating injectable, pore-forming double-network hydrogels with high permeability and toughness. These hydrogels demonstrate excellent performance in cell encapsulation and delivery, as well as resistance to fatigue and superior biomechanical properties.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guangyu Bao, Qiman Gao, Massimo Cau, Nabil Ali-Mohamad, Mitchell Strong, Shuaibing Jiang, Zhen Yang, Amin Valiei, Zhenwei Ma, Marco Amabili, Zu-Hua Gao, Luc Mongeau, Christian Kastrup, Jianyu Li
Summary: Non-compressible hemorrhage is a challenge in trauma patients, but researchers have developed a new type of bioadhesive that can rapidly absorb fluids promoting blood clotting and demonstrate good adhesion and hemostatic effects in ex vivo and in vivo models.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hossein Ravanbakhsh, Razyeh Behbahani, Hamidreza Yazdani Sarvestani, Elham Kiyani, Meysam Rahmat, Mikko Karttunen, Behnam Ashrafi
Summary: This study evaluates and assists the design of interlocked ceramics under thermal shock loading using finite-element and machine learning methods. The approach successfully finds the optimal designs among over 2 million cases.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qingli Qu, Weixia Cheng, Xiaoli Zhang, Hossein Ravanbakhsh, Guosheng Tang, Aying Zhou, Dong Pei, Ranhua Xiong, Chaobo Huang
Summary: Enzymatic cascade reactions play a crucial role in cellular metabolism and biological signal transduction. Artificial microreactors have gained increasing attention due to their ability to mimic the efficient and selective biological cascade catalytic systems in cells. Natural hydrogels such as alginate and chitosan are considered suitable materials for matching the properties of the extracellular matrix. Inspired by the structures of eukaryotic cells, alginate/chitosan multicompartment microcapsules are developed for enzymatic cascade reactions. These microcapsules encapsulate multiple enzymes as biocatalysts, resembling complex physiological reactions. The microcapsules exhibit excellent recyclability, long-term stability at room temperature, and resistance to proteolysis, making them ideal for studying the biomimetic metabolic function of organelles and organs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ran Huo, Guangyu Bao, Zixin He, Xuan Li, Zhenwei Ma, Zhen Yang, Roozbeh Moakhar, Shuaibing Jiang, Christopher Chung-Tze-Cheong, Alexander Nottegar, Changhong Cao, Sara Mahshid, Jianyu Li
Summary: Emerging soft ionotronics hold great potential for human-machine interfaces, wearable and implantable devices, and soft machines. This study reports the design, fabrication, and characterization of tough transient ionic junctions using 3D ionic microgel printing. The ionic junctions demonstrate high stretchability, excellent electrical performance, and degrade in a controlled manner.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuan Li, Yin Liu, Li Li, Ran Huo, Farshid Ghezelbash, Zhenwei Ma, Guangyu Bao, Shiyu Liu, Zhen Yang, Michael H. Weber, Nicole Y. K. Li-Jessen, Lisbet Haglund, Jianyu Li
Summary: Introduction of a hybrid bioadhesive that can repair and regenerate intervertebral discs post-nucleotomy. The adhesive fills the cavity and the sealant fixes the defect. It exhibits strong adhesion and survives extreme loading. The adhesive can match the mechanical properties of the native nucleus pulposus, support cell viability and matrix deposition, and restore biomechanics of the discs.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Fatemeh Taheri, Guangyu Bao, Sepideh Mohammadi, Luc Mongeau
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hossein Ravanbakhsh, Zeyu Luo, Xiang Zhang, Sushila Maharjan, Hengameh S. Mirkarimi, Guosheng Tang, Carolina Chavez-Madero, Luc Mongeau, Yu Shrike Zhang
Summary: This study presents a cryobioprinting strategy for fabricating and storing cell-laden volumetric tissue constructs. The method combines extrusion bioprinting and cryopreservation, allowing for concurrent tissue biofabrication and storage. The feasibility and efficacy of cryobioprinting were confirmed, and the effects of bioink composition on printability and cell viability were evaluated.
