Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.2
4.6
Journals
Bioengineering
Special Issues
Biopolymers and Nano-Objects Applications in Bioengineering
share announcement

Biopolymers and Nano-Objects Applications in Bioengineering

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanotechnology Applications in Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2024) | Viewed by 9801

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Gary Chinga Carrasco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
RISE PFI, Høgskoleringen 6b, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Interests: biomaterials; hydrogels; 3D bioprinting; biocomposites; bio-applications; biomanufacturing; biofabrication
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biopolymers and engineered nano-objects (nanoparticles, nanoplates and nanofibers) can have applications within several areas of research and development, including, food engineering, biology and medicine. Nano-scale structures provide a series of advantages, including tunable physical properties and surface chemistry that can be modified for targeted applications. Additionally, biopolymers and nano-objects are important materials for additive manufacturing (3D printing, bioprinting) and biomedicine. This includes the design of tailored medical devices, in vitro 3D substrates for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, as well as tissue models as drug-testing platforms. Such applications may also be aided by machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches in a bioengineering perspective and to enable patient-specific healthcare services. However, the synthesis and modification of nano-structures require manipulation at the nano-scale. This may imply a radical modification of the polymers’ physical and chemical properties, and may have significant biological effects. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the toxicological profile of biopolymers and engineered nano-objects in order to ensure biocompatibility.  

Dr. Gary Chinga Carrasco
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Bioengineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biopolymers
  • nano-objects
  • synthesis, production, and applications
  • surface modifications and their biological effects
  • cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, immunogenic properties
  • applications in, e.g., tissue engineering, wound dressings, cell models, artificial skin, cancer models, and encapsulation for controlled release
  • characterization, including structural, physical, chemical, biological, and mechanical properties
  • machine learning and artificial intelligence applications in bioengineering

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 1988 KiB  
Article
Tuning Mechanical Characteristics and Permeability of Alginate Hydrogel by Polyvinyl Alcohol and Deep Eutectic Solvent Addition
by Tadej Menegatti, Tilen Kopač and Polona Žnidaršič-Plazl
Bioengineering 2024, 11(4), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11040371 - 12 Apr 2024
Viewed by 400
Abstract
Alginate-based hydrogels are widely utilized for various applications, including enzyme immobilization and the development of drug delivery systems, owing to their advantageous characteristics, such as low toxicity, high availability and cost-effectiveness. However, the broad applicability of alginate hydrogels is hindered by their limited [...] Read more.
Alginate-based hydrogels are widely utilized for various applications, including enzyme immobilization and the development of drug delivery systems, owing to their advantageous characteristics, such as low toxicity, high availability and cost-effectiveness. However, the broad applicability of alginate hydrogels is hindered by their limited mechanical and chemical stability, as well as their poor permeability to hydrophobic molecules. In this study, we addressed the mechanical properties and chemical resistance of alginate hydrogels in a high-pKa environment by the copolymerization of alginate with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The addition of PVA resulted in a threefold improvement in the shear modulus of the copolymeric hydrogel, as well as enhanced chemical resistance to (S)-α-methylbenzylamine, a model molecule with a high pKa value. Furthermore, we addressed the permeability challenge by introducing a betaine–propylene glycol deep eutectic solvent (DES) into the PVA-alginate copolymer. This led to an increased permeability for ethyl 3-oxobutanoate, a model molecule used for bioreduction to chiral alcohols. Moreover, the addition of the DES resulted in a notable improvement of the shear modulus of the resulting hydrogel. This dual effect highlights the role of the DES in achieving the desired improvement of the hydrogel as an immobilization carrier. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers and Nano-Objects Applications in Bioengineering)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5252 KiB  
Article
In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Chitosan/HPMC/Insulin Hydrogel for Wound Healing Applications
by Flávia Cristina Zanchetta, Pieter De Wever, Joseane Morari, Rita Caiado Gaspar, Thaís Paulino do Prado, Tess De Maeseneer, Ruth Cardinaels, Eliana Pereira Araújo, Maria Helena Melo Lima and Pedro Fardim
Bioengineering 2024, 11(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11020168 - 09 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1118
Abstract
Treatment of chronic wounds is challenging, and the development of different formulations based on insulin has shown efficacy due to their ability to regulate oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. The formulation of insulin with polysaccharides in biohybrid hydrogel systems has the advantage of [...] Read more.
Treatment of chronic wounds is challenging, and the development of different formulations based on insulin has shown efficacy due to their ability to regulate oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. The formulation of insulin with polysaccharides in biohybrid hydrogel systems has the advantage of synergistically combining the bioactivity of the protein with the biocompatibility and hydrogel properties of polysaccharides. In this study, a hydrogel formulation containing insulin, chitosan, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (Chi/HPMC/Ins) was prepared and characterized by FTIR, thermogravimetric, and gel point analyses. The in vitro cell viability and cell migration potential of the Chi/HPMC/Ins hydrogel were evaluated in human keratinocyte cells (HaCat) by MTT and wound scratch assay. The hydrogel was applied to excisional full-thickness wounds in diabetic mice for twenty days for in vivo studies. Cell viability studies indicated no cytotoxicity of the Chi/HPMC/Ins hydrogel. Moreover, the Chi/HPMC/Ins hydrogel promoted faster gap closure in the scratch assay. In vivo, the wounds treated with the Chi/HPMC/Ins hydrogel resulted in faster wound closure, formation of a more organized granulation tissue, and hair follicle regeneration. These results suggest that Chi/HPMC/Ins hydrogels might promote wound healing in vitro and in vivo and could be a new potential dressing for wound healing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers and Nano-Objects Applications in Bioengineering)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4871 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial Aerogels-Based Membranes by Customized Colloidal Functionalization of TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers Incorporating CuO
by Elena Usala, Eduardo Espinosa, Wasim El Arfaoui, Ramón Morcillo-Martín, Begoña Ferrari and Zoilo González
Bioengineering 2023, 10(11), 1312; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10111312 - 14 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1102
Abstract
An innovative colloidal approach is proposed here to carry out the customized functionalization of TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF) incorporating non-noble inorganic nanoparticles. A heterocoagulation process is applied between the delignified CNF and as-synthetized CuO nanoparticles (CuO NPs) to formulate mixtures which are used [...] Read more.
An innovative colloidal approach is proposed here to carry out the customized functionalization of TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF) incorporating non-noble inorganic nanoparticles. A heterocoagulation process is applied between the delignified CNF and as-synthetized CuO nanoparticles (CuO NPs) to formulate mixtures which are used in the preparation of aerogels with antibacterial effect, which could be used to manufacture membranes, filters, foams, etc. The involved components of formulated blending, CNF and CuO NPs, were individually obtained by using a biorefinery strategy for agricultural waste valorization, together with an optimized chemical precipitation, assisted by ultrasounds. The optimization of synthesis parameters for CuO NPs has avoided the presence of undesirable species, which usually requires later thermal treatment with associated costs. The aerogels-based structure, obtained by conventional freeze-drying, acted as 3D support for CuO NPs, providing a good dispersion within the cross-linked structure of the nanocellulose and facilitating direct contact of the antibacterial phase against undesirable microorganisms. All samples showed a positive response against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. An increase of the antibacterial response of the aerogels, measured by agar disk diffusion test, has been observed with the increase of CuO NPs incorporated, obtaining the width of the antimicrobial “halo” (nwhalo) from 0 to 0.6 and 0.35 for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Furthermore, the aerogels have been able to deactivate S. aureus and E. coli in less than 5 h when the antibacterial assays have been analyzed by a broth dilution method. From CNF-50CuO samples, an overlap in the nanoparticle effect produced a decrease of the antimicrobial kinetic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers and Nano-Objects Applications in Bioengineering)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1363 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Genotoxicity of Cellulose Nanomaterials in a Co-Culture of Human Lung Epithelial Cells and Monocyte-Derived Macrophages
by Célia Ventura, Fátima Pinto, Ana Filipa Lourenço, Jorge F. S. Pedrosa, Susete N. Fernandes, Rafaela R. da Rosa, Maria Helena Godinho, Paulo J. T. Ferreira, Henriqueta Louro and Maria João Silva
Bioengineering 2023, 10(8), 986; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10080986 - 21 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1464
Abstract
Cellulose micro/nanomaterials (CMNMs) are innovative materials with a wide spectrum of industrial and biomedical applications. Although cellulose has been recognized as a safe material, the unique properties of its nanosized forms have raised concerns about their safety for human health. Genotoxicity is an [...] Read more.
Cellulose micro/nanomaterials (CMNMs) are innovative materials with a wide spectrum of industrial and biomedical applications. Although cellulose has been recognized as a safe material, the unique properties of its nanosized forms have raised concerns about their safety for human health. Genotoxicity is an endpoint that must be assessed to ensure that no carcinogenic risks are associated with exposure to nanomaterials. In this study, we evaluated the genotoxicity of two types of cellulose micro/nanofibrils (CMF and CNF) and one sample of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), obtained from industrial bleached Eucalyptus globulus kraft pulp. For that, we exposed co-cultures of human alveolar epithelial A549 cells and THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages to a concentration range of each CMNM and used the micronucleus (MN) and comet assays. Our results showed that only the lowest concentrations of the CMF sample were able to induce DNA strand breaks (FPG-comet assay). However, none of the three CMNMs produced significant chromosomal alterations (MN assay). These findings, together with results from previous in vitro studies using monocultures of A549 cells, indicate that the tested CNF and CNC are not genotoxic under the conditions tested, while the CMF display a low genotoxic potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers and Nano-Objects Applications in Bioengineering)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 6536 KiB  
Article
Co-Electrospun Poly(ε-Caprolactone)/Zein Articular Cartilage Scaffolds
by Andre M. Souza Plath, Stephanie Huber, Serena R. Alfarano, Daniel F. Abbott, Minghan Hu, Victor Mougel, Lucio Isa and Stephen J. Ferguson
Bioengineering 2023, 10(7), 771; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10070771 - 27 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1502
Abstract
Osteoarthritis scaffold-based grafts fail because of poor integration with the surrounding soft tissue and inadequate tribological properties. To circumvent this, we propose electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/zein-based scaffolds owing to their biomimetic capabilities. The scaffold surfaces were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, static [...] Read more.
Osteoarthritis scaffold-based grafts fail because of poor integration with the surrounding soft tissue and inadequate tribological properties. To circumvent this, we propose electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/zein-based scaffolds owing to their biomimetic capabilities. The scaffold surfaces were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, static water contact angles, and profilometry. Scaffold biocompatibility properties were assessed by measuring protein adsorption (Bicinchoninic Acid Assay), cell spreading (stained F-actin), and metabolic activity (PrestoBlue™ Cell Viability Reagent) of primary bovine chondrocytes. The data show that zein surface segregation in the membranes not only completely changed the hydrophobic behavior of the materials, but also increased the cell yield and metabolic activity on the scaffolds. The surface segregation is verified by the infrared peak at 1658 cm−1, along with the presence and increase in N1 content in the survey XPS. This observation could explain the decrease in the water contact angles from 125° to approximately 60° in zein-comprised materials and the decrease in the protein adsorption of both bovine serum albumin and synovial fluid by half. Surface nano roughness in the PCL/zein samples additionally benefited the radial spreading of bovine chondrocytes. This study showed that co-electrospun PCL/zein scaffolds have promising surface and biocompatibility properties for use in articular-tissue-engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers and Nano-Objects Applications in Bioengineering)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 6918 KiB  
Article
Gene-Expression Analysis of Human Fibroblasts Affected by 3D-Printed Carboxylated Nanocellulose Constructs
by Jennifer Rosendahl, Chiara Zarna, Joakim Håkansson and Gary Chinga-Carrasco
Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010121 - 16 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1949
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a highly valuable tool to manufacture porous constructs. This has major advantages in, for example, tissue engineering, in which 3D scaffolds provide a microenvironment with adequate porosity for cell growth and migration as a simulation of tissue [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a highly valuable tool to manufacture porous constructs. This has major advantages in, for example, tissue engineering, in which 3D scaffolds provide a microenvironment with adequate porosity for cell growth and migration as a simulation of tissue regeneration. In this study, we assessed the suitability of three cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) that were obtained through 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpyperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation. The CNFs were obtained by applying three levels of carboxylation, i.e., 2.5, 3.8, and 6.0 mmol sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) per gram of cellulose. The CNFs exhibited different nanofibrillation levels, affecting the corresponding viscosity and 3D printability of the CNF gels (0.6 wt%). The scaffolds were manufactured by micro-extrusion and the nanomechanical properties were assessed with nanoindentation. Importantly, fibroblasts were grown on the scaffolds and the expression levels of the marker genes, which are relevant for wound healing and proliferation, were assessed in order to reveal the effect of the 3D-scaffold microenvironment of the cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers and Nano-Objects Applications in Bioengineering)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 1737 KiB  
Review
Hereditary Optic Neuropathies: A Systematic Review on the Interplay between Biomaterials and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
by Miguel Ladero, Jose Alberto Reche-Sainz and M. Esther Gallardo
Bioengineering 2024, 11(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11010052 - 03 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1315
Abstract
Hereditary optic neuropathies (HONs) such as dominant optic atrophy (DOA) and Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) are mitochondrial diseases characterized by a degenerative loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and are a cause of blindness worldwide. To date, there are only limited disease-modifying [...] Read more.
Hereditary optic neuropathies (HONs) such as dominant optic atrophy (DOA) and Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) are mitochondrial diseases characterized by a degenerative loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and are a cause of blindness worldwide. To date, there are only limited disease-modifying treatments for these disorders. The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has opened several promising opportunities in the field of HON research and the search for therapeutic approaches. This systematic review is focused on the two most frequent HONs (LHON and DOA) and on the recent studies related to the application of human iPSC technology in combination with biomaterials technology for their potential use in the development of RGC replacement therapies with the final aim of the improvement or even the restoration of the vision of HON patients. To this purpose, the combination of natural and synthetic biomaterials modified with peptides, neurotrophic factors, and other low- to medium-molecular weight compounds, mimicking the ocular extracellular matrices, with human iPSC or iPSC-derived cell retinal progenitors holds enormous potential to be exploited in the near future for the generation of transplantable RGC populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers and Nano-Objects Applications in Bioengineering)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop