Project Portugal 2030

Summary

The primary objective of BioPiezo is to integrate the multidisciplinary fields of materials science with polymer’s processing and tissue engineering to develop ground-breaking knowledge, that can be further used for advancing the development of high-performance piezoelectric biomaterials. Under this context, this main objective can be breakdown into the following operational objectives: i) Investigate the influence of various processing techniques on the piezoelectric properties of PLLA to garner a comprehensive understanding. PLLA is a widely used biocompatible polymer in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to its favorable mechanical properties and biodegradability. Moreover, PLLA is highly process-sensitive, meaning that its properties can be significantly influenced by processing parameters such as temperature, pressure, and processing methods (e.g., solvent casting, electrospinning, 3D printing). By understanding how different processing techniques affect PLLA's piezoelectric behavior, we can tailor the fabrication process to enhance its piezoelectricity without compromising its biocompatibility and mechanical integrity. Furthermore, elucidating the relationship between processing techniques and PLLA's piezoelectric properties can provide insights into the underlying mechanisms governing piezoelectricity in polymers. This fundamental understanding not only contributes to the development of PLLA-based biomaterials but also advances our knowledge of piezoelectric materials in general, facilitating the design and optimization of novel piezoelectric materials for various applications beyond biomedical engineering. ii) Identify the optimal combination of polymer/ceramic materials and processing methodologies to attain peak piezoelectric properties, thereby enhancing the performance of the biomaterials. Identifying the optimal combination of polymer/ceramic materials and processing methodologies is essential for maximizing the piezoelectric properties and overall performance of biomaterials. This optimization process will enable the development of biodegradable piezoelectric biomaterials with tailored properties, enhanced performance, and versatility, thereby enhancing their overall performance in various biomedical applications, paving the way for their widespread application in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and biomedical devices. iii) Validate the significance of piezoelectric scaffolds in dictating cellular fate, elucidating their potential impact on cellular behavior and function. Piezoelectric materials have unique properties that enable them to convert mechanical energy into electrical signals and vice versa. When used in scaffolds’ fabrication, which provide structural support for tissue growth, piezoelectric materials have the potential to influence cellular behavior and function in profound ways. By manipulating the electrical microenvironment around cells, these scaffolds can potentially enhance cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue regeneration processes. By elucidating their impact on cellular behavior and function, we expect to contribute for the development of advanced therapeutic strategies and personalized treatments that harness the power of electrical cues to promote tissue regeneration and repair. These objectives will serve as crucial milestones in our pursuit of advancing the development of high-performance piezoelectric biomaterials for tissue engineering applications.