Development and evaluation of hydrogel-based bioinspired systems for drug delivery and tissue engineering

Abstract

This doctoral thesis focuses on the development and evaluation of bioinspired hydrogel-based systems for tissue regeneration and drug delivery. For this purpose, different approaches of hydrogel-based systems are examined. Tissue engineering combines natural biomaterials to engineer systems suitable for bone regeneration. With the aim of simulating native tissue and improve the characteristics of these systems, nanotechnology has been employed by using nanomaterials such as nanoclays. The first design is a 3D system based on nanoreinforced gelatin that has been tested as ascaffolding system that can act as delivery platform. For this purpose in vitro and in vivo studies were carried out. The second approach, in turn, tested the potential of bioadaptable systems based on a combination of DNA and BSA as scaffolds to regenerate bone fractures. Evaluation was carried out by a set of assays in terms of biomechanical, morphological and chemical characterization. Overall, this thesis comprises the design and fabrication and subsequent characterization of innovative systems that are suitable for bone tissue engineering.