Tissue Science and Regenerative Medicine

Biography

Biography: Pedro G. Morouco

Abstract

Direct digital manufacturing (DDM) is not a futuristic expertise. Actually, its use has been employed throughout a wide spectrum of areas/industries. One of the areas where DDM is having a major impact is on the development of implants for tissue science and regenerative medicine. To do so, both anatomical as functional characteristics must be addressed. In fact, a combination of scaffolds, cells and/or growth factors should aim the production of implants (temporary or permanent), so that damaged or degenerated tissues can be fully restored. The DDM ability to join different composites layer-by-layer, enriches hybrid 3D structures that aim to mimic the native tissue and adds a new degree in freedom of design. However, the available methodologies lack some levl of expertise regarding biocompatibility, bioactivity and/or biodegradation (e.g. the lack of porosity and architecture control on 3D scaffolds). In this presentation we will show new technologies that we have been developing for 3D printing (both hard and soft scaffolds), as well as present major achievements that we have accomplished regarding bone and cartilage regeneration. For instance, the printing of multiple (up to 3) hydrogels with, or without loaded cells, that intend to generate layered mechanically stable implants through the double-printing of hydrogels with thermoplastics. This technology has shown promising results to overcome identified gaps in cartilage regeneration.