Speaker
Descrizione
3D biology has marked a turning point in biomedical research, offering a more realistic and dynamic representation of cellular and tissue processes. Within this framework, bioprinting has emerged as a key technology, capable of precisely and reproducibly recreating complex pathological models and cellular microenvironments. This evolution opens new perspectives in disease modeling, personalized therapies, and the design of biofunctional materials.
To address these challenges, a new scientific topic was developed three years ago at ISMN Bologna, focusing on two main research fields: the complexity of the tumor mass and neuropathic pain. Understanding these processes is crucial, as tumor heterogeneity remains a major obstacle to effective cancer treatment, while neuropathic pain, largely resistant to conventional therapies, still lacks reliable in vitro models for mechanistic studies and drug testing.
In this context, new strategies have been developed to investigate the effects of tumor heterogeneity by combining microstructured microwell technology with bioprinting, producing multiple tumor microenvironments within the same well, with the aim of better replicating the complex structures observed in vivo. In particular, these studies focused on producing and characterizing samples composed of arrays of bioprinted spheroids with controlled size and composition, to investigate colon and breast tumor models.
Another key research topic focused on the development of a neuropathic pain model, with a perspective toward personalized therapy. This was achieved through the bioprinting of synthetic innervated dermal tissue, first in murine and subsequently in human models, investigating their coherence with in vivo tissues. This topic has also been articulated through a tissue engineering approach, studying novel materials doped with micro-nano fibers and developing models to pattern dermal cells within the printed scaffold.
| Giovane Ricercatore (under 40) | No |
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