Biomimicry is a promising discipline of Biotechnology [1] addressed to novel material design inspired by animal tissues and has potential applications even in the field of tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine. The MIMESIS (Marine Invertebrates Models & Engineered Substrates for Innovative bio-Scaffolds) project has being developed within this scientific context. In this project we take inspiration from natural tissues belonging to very common marine invertebrates, the echinoderms, with the final perspective of developing innovative biomimetic biomaterials. Indeed, echinoderms possess very peculiar connective tissues, called Mutable Collagenous Tissues (MCTs). MCTs undergo rapid, drastic and reversible changes in their passive mechanical properties (stiffness, tensile strength and viscosity), this phenomena being under strict nervous control [2]. These striking mechanical properties exclusively depend on variations in the reciprocal interactions and cohesive forces between collagen fibrils, these changes being mediated by cellularly secreted protein effectors. Therefore MCTs (and its components) can be a source of inspiration and a supply of marine-derived resources for the ex novo design and development of biomimetic smart materials: these latter could be potentially used for in vitro and in vivo applications whenever a controlled and reversible plasticization and/or stiffening of the biomaterial (film, 3D scaffold,etc…) is required. The echinoderm model used under the MIMESIS project is the common sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus: this is a well known experimental model and an edible aquacultured species, that can potentially provide large-scale and economically advantageous amount of MCTs, derived from by-products of the food industry. Considering this background, the MIMESIS project is necessarily based on a strong multidisciplinary approach combining functional biology with biomaterial engineering. Here we present a brief review of the most recent results obtained so far and derived from the different MIMESIS project phases: 1) characterization of P.lividus MCTs by morphological, biomolecular, biomechanical and biochemical analyses and 2) first studies towards the development of MCT-derived substrata for cell culture studies.

Innovative biomimetic materials from echinoderms : recent results and applied perspectives / M. Sugni, A. Barbaglio, M. Barbosa, F. Bonasoro, C. Di Benedetto, D. Fassini, A.P. Lima, A. Ribeiro, C.C. Ribeiro, S. Tricarico, I. Wilkie, M.D. Candia Carnevali. ((Intervento presentato al 5. convegno Bilateral Seminar Italy Japan 2012 tenutosi a Palermo nel 2012.

Innovative biomimetic materials from echinoderms : recent results and applied perspectives

M. Sugni
Primo
;
A. Barbaglio;F. Bonasoro;C. Di Benedetto;D. Fassini;S. Tricarico;M.D. Candia Carnevali
Ultimo
2012

Abstract

Biomimicry is a promising discipline of Biotechnology [1] addressed to novel material design inspired by animal tissues and has potential applications even in the field of tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine. The MIMESIS (Marine Invertebrates Models & Engineered Substrates for Innovative bio-Scaffolds) project has being developed within this scientific context. In this project we take inspiration from natural tissues belonging to very common marine invertebrates, the echinoderms, with the final perspective of developing innovative biomimetic biomaterials. Indeed, echinoderms possess very peculiar connective tissues, called Mutable Collagenous Tissues (MCTs). MCTs undergo rapid, drastic and reversible changes in their passive mechanical properties (stiffness, tensile strength and viscosity), this phenomena being under strict nervous control [2]. These striking mechanical properties exclusively depend on variations in the reciprocal interactions and cohesive forces between collagen fibrils, these changes being mediated by cellularly secreted protein effectors. Therefore MCTs (and its components) can be a source of inspiration and a supply of marine-derived resources for the ex novo design and development of biomimetic smart materials: these latter could be potentially used for in vitro and in vivo applications whenever a controlled and reversible plasticization and/or stiffening of the biomaterial (film, 3D scaffold,etc…) is required. The echinoderm model used under the MIMESIS project is the common sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus: this is a well known experimental model and an edible aquacultured species, that can potentially provide large-scale and economically advantageous amount of MCTs, derived from by-products of the food industry. Considering this background, the MIMESIS project is necessarily based on a strong multidisciplinary approach combining functional biology with biomaterial engineering. Here we present a brief review of the most recent results obtained so far and derived from the different MIMESIS project phases: 1) characterization of P.lividus MCTs by morphological, biomolecular, biomechanical and biochemical analyses and 2) first studies towards the development of MCT-derived substrata for cell culture studies.
nov-2012
Settore BIO/05 - Zoologia
Innovative biomimetic materials from echinoderms : recent results and applied perspectives / M. Sugni, A. Barbaglio, M. Barbosa, F. Bonasoro, C. Di Benedetto, D. Fassini, A.P. Lima, A. Ribeiro, C.C. Ribeiro, S. Tricarico, I. Wilkie, M.D. Candia Carnevali. ((Intervento presentato al 5. convegno Bilateral Seminar Italy Japan 2012 tenutosi a Palermo nel 2012.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/252514
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