National Institute of Technology Rourkela

राष्ट्रीय प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान राउरकेला

ଜାତୀୟ ପ୍ରଯୁକ୍ତି ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠାନ ରାଉରକେଲା

An Institute of National Importance

Seminar Details

Seminar Title:
Development of a thermosensitive self-assembled nanofibrous bioink for bone tissue engineering using an opensource 3D bioprinting approach
Seminar Type:
Defence Seminar
Department:
Biotechnology and Medical Engineering
Speaker Name:
Tanmay Bharadwaj ( Rollno : 517bm1005)
Speaker Type:
Student
Venue:
Seminar Hall, BM Department
Date and Time:
24 Sep 2025 4:00 PM
Contact:
Devendra Verma
Abstract:

Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC)-based thermosensitive bioinks are promising for bone tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility, tunable mechanics, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-like architecture. Formed through electrostatic interactions, they avoid cytotoxic crosslinkers but often lack structural fidelity and bioactivity for robust osteogenesis. This work addresses these challenges by developing self-assembled PECs in fibrous form to improve stability, mechanical strength, and biofunctionality. A chitosan&ndashpolygalacturonic acid hydrogel was first fabricated, exhibiting an elastic modulus of 16 kPa, ~3% swelling, and complete biodegradation within eight days. Scaling down the fibrous structure yielded self-assembled nanofibrous aggregates (SNAs), particularly chitosan&ndashgelatin SNAs (CG-SNAs), which enhanced ECM mimicry, reduced gelation time (165 ± 6 s), and improved 3D printability. Incorporation of nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) further enhanced osteoconductivity, reducing swelling to 2.5%, retaining 48% weight after 10 days, and promoting osteogenesis through increased ALP activity, collagen synthesis, and mineralization.To broaden material scope, SNAs from diverse polymer combinations were evaluated, with gelatin&ndashcarrageenan showing the strongest osteogenic potential. Finally, osteoinductive nanoparticles&mdashincluding nHAP, laponite, magnesium whitlockite (Mg-WKT), and SiO₂&mdashwere integrated, with Mg-WKT demonstrating the highest osteogenic performance and reinforcing physicochemical properties. This synergistic strategy offers a scalable, cost-effective route for biomimetic bioinks with strong translational potential in bone regeneration and in vivo bioprinting.