Regenerative medicine

Title: Biocompatible nanomaterials based on poly(3-hydroxybutyric) acid as a potential in regenerative medicine

Supervisor: dr hab. n. wet. Waldemar Grzegorzewski, prof. UR, DVM, PhD in Veterinary Medicine, DSc, e-mail: wgrzegorzewski@ur.edu.pl 

Co-supervisor: dr inż. Anna Czerniecka-Kubicka, PhD, e-mail: aczerniecka@ur.edu.pl

Short description:

The development of medicine is directly related to the progress of chemical engineering and materials engineering. These areas of science, directly related to the development of new materials, give hope for promising solutions in reconstructive and surgical medicine, improving the life and health of patients. For this reason, the main goal of the project is to develop a recipe and processing conditions for a new, biocompatible, thermostable, and homogeneous granules obtained on the backing of poly(3-hydroxybutyric) acid enriched with nano-additives and other polymers. The obtained result, distinguishing the product, will be the controlled composition, structure and biocompatibility of the biomaterial that can be used in regenerative medicine in humans and animals.  The nanobiocomposite will be characterized in terms of physicochemical properties and biocompatibility with live organism, introducing the determination of therapeutic possibilities for a new biomaterial that will enable the development of personalized therapies.

As part of the doctoral thesis, the application potential of the biocompatible material will also be determined using an in vivo model. Research using a mouse research model will determine the inter alia integrity with adherent tissues and the ability of constructs to stimulate regenerative processes in damaged tissue. As part of the research work, an assessment of the safety and preclinical efficacy of biodegradable scaffolding will be carried out. Research work using a mouse (rat, rabbit) model of cartilage and bone loss induced in vivo conditions will be carried out under medical and veterinary supervision after obtaining the consent of the Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments. During surgery, animals will be anesthetized with insensitivity. Biomaterials will be introduced into the cartilage-bone defect for 2 weeks.  Imaging tests will be carried out using ultrasound and X-ray techniques (computed tomography is also planned). Radiological tests will make it possible to monitor the changes occurring after the introduction of the construct. At the end of the experiment, the animals will be euthanized. For further tests, the following will be taken: tissue with the area of the implant site along with cartilage loss and blood (it will also be taken during the experiment). Fragments of tissue covering the defect site together with the biomaterial will be fixed and intended for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. The blood will be used for morphological, biochemical and enzyme immunoassays to determine markers of inflammation. The stage of completion of the doctoral student's research work will be a demonstration of the prototype in conditions close to real life.

The doctoral student will actively participate in the following stages:

• the production of a biocompatible nanomaterial by direct extrusion,
• tests of physicochemical properties using thermal analysis techniques and tests of mechanical strength properties together with imaging by AFM, TEM methods,
• production of the construct using the bioprinting method,
• biological studies using an animal model.

Competences / skills and expectations:

• the candidate holds a master's degree in biotechnology, biology, veterinary medicine or related,
• shows scientific interest related to nanotechnology along with animal anatomy and physiology,
• the candidate can use laboratory equipment and conducts research with their use,
• has knowledge of new materials, contemporary challenges and research problems,
• knows the basics of conducting research using animals and their tissues/cells,
• expresses willingness to work in research projects financed from internal projects, as well as will actively participate in applying for external projects,
• demonstrates knowledge of English allowing for free communication in speech and writing.