Topic details
| Topic | Advanced enzymatically degradable polymer materials for 4D bioprinting |
|---|---|
| Supervisor | Vladimír Proks, Ph.D. |
| Consultant | MSc. Jana Dvořáková, Ph.D. |
| Department | Biomaterials and Bioanalogous Systems |
| Description | Current biology has opened a new avenue in biotechnological R&D aimed at ex vivo building 3D structures that closely resemble tissues/organs of living organisms. Despite the self-organizing capacity of cells, extracellular 3D support is still envisioned to promote the establishment of proper tissue morphologies. 3D bioprinting is an attractive option of how cells can be positioned into the right locations and supported in their development. The advanced concept is so-called 4D bioprinting, defined by materials capable of post-printing responsiveness to stimuli. The key limitation to this approach lays in the suboptimal chemistry of biomaterials, not providing enough flexibility in mechanical properties, internal geometry, ligand capture, and release, etc. The dissertation will focus on the design, synthesis, and study of physicochemical properties of polypeptide precursors based on synthetic poly(amino acids). Furthermore, a 3D printing protocol will be developed to establish a hydrogel network, which could ensure mechanical protection of cells from shear forces and promote cell retention and engraftment. Hydrogels will be modified with biomimetic structures, e.g., cell-adhesion peptides that would promote specific interactions with cells and growth factors. The applicant's knowledge and experience in macromolecular and organic chemistry is an advantage, along with the desire to learn new things in the fields of biochemistry and biology. The student will learn various synthesis techniques and characterization methods using modern instruments. |
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