COMET

Conducting organic materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Tissue engineering aims to facilitate the re-growth of damaged or diseased tissues through the design of three-dimensional scaffolds and has implications for society in terms of treating spinal cord injuries and degenerative brain diseases. The overall objective of this research programme is to design, synthesize and develop new conducting and biodegradable scaffold materials with the capacity to deliver drugs or growth factors for applications in tissue engineering. To achieve this, three approaches are being considered. The first is the formation of nanoparticles and/or nanofibers of polypyrrole (PPy) with existing biodegradable polymers to form composites. Secondly, conducting polymer materials with both conducting and non-conducting segments will be developed. And finally, this objective will be examined using a natural polymeric material, melanin. These approaches will be achieved through a number of chemical and electrochemical techniques including electrospinning, electropolymerization and chemical vapour polymerization, as well as, organic synthesis and spin coating. These materials will also be studied in terms of their biodegradation rates, biocompatibility and their ability to promote cell attachment, cell proliferation and to stimulate nerve cell regeneration. In achieving this objective Dr. Hendy will develop new experimental skills, gain expertise in the synthesis of advanced polymeric materials for controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering and gain expertise in all aspects of a researcher’s role. In this area of biomaterials, MIT is the most prestigious University in the world, allowing Dr. Hendy to become exposed to new equipment, which in turn will help develop a host of new complementary skills; consequently this training, will have a key impact on both Ireland and Europe upon Dr. Hendy’s return.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Tissue engineering is facing the need for increased functionality to widen the list of laboratory-grown tissues that could be used for transplantation. A European study generated novel materials for supporting the regeneration of neuronal tissue.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The field of tissue engineering is responsible for constructing three-dimensional scaffolds to restore tissue morphology, structure and function. The range of materials used for this purpose is expanding. There is a need to create biomimetic environments where cells can grow into the tissue to be replaced.

Scientists on the EU-funded 'Conducting organic materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery.' (COMET) project aimed to develop new conducting and biodegradable scaffold materials for use in tissue engineering applications. These materials would also have the capacity to deliver drugs or growth factors in a controlled manner.

Researchers developed methodologies for combining nanoparticles with biodegradable polymers. Following production and chemical characterisation of the materials, they went on to test their biological characteristics and drug delivery properties. In this context, they performed a series of assays to determine the toxicity of the materials and their cell attachment and proliferation capacity.

The COMET team were particularly interested in applying these polymer matrices to deliver neurotransmitters and promote nerve regeneration through electrical stimulation. This could prove therapeutic for nerve or spinal cord injury, as well as in neurodegenerative conditions.

The same principle could also be exploited for engineering retinal implants in patients suffering from retinal degeneration to replace diseased photoreceptors with healthy cells. The ongoing collaborations of the COMET scientists with other European groups are expected to put these novel materials to the clinical test.