Contacts:
Supervisor(s):
Dr. Dario Puppi
Title of the PhD project:
Polymeric scaffolds for 3D in vitro tissue modelling.
Abstract of the PhD project:
In the last decades three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems within a polymeric matrix (scaffold) have gained increasing interest in drug discovery and tissue engineering due to their ability in providing a more reliable biological environment for the long-term in vitro maintenance of cell phenotype. Considering the great influence of tumour microenvironment on the development and progression of cancer, 3D culture models have become essential for improving cancer physiology investigations. The application of innovative fabrication approaches (e.g. additive manufacturing and replica moulding techniques) represents a powerful route to develop 3D constructs with a variety of potential biomedical applications, such as scaffolds for 3D in vitro tissue models. Aim of the present project is the design, fabrication and characterization of polymeric scaffolds with predefined geometry, controlled porosity, tailored stiffness and physical-chemical properties, to be employed as support for the development of in vitro 3D cancer models. Polymeric materials to be employed for scaffolds fabrication will be selected among polysaccharides and aliphatic polyesters of natural origin, obtainable from renewable and sustainable resources and in virtue of their well ascertained biocompatibility and biodegradability. Such systems will be then used to evaluate cytotoxic metal-based compounds as potential new chemotherapeutics compared to 2D culture models.
Publications:
• H. Ghermezcheshme, M. Mohseni, M. Ebrahimi, H. Makki, E. Martinelli, E. Guazzelli, S. Braccini, G. Galli. “The effect of network topology on protein adsorption behavior of hydrophilic polymeric coatings”. ACS Applied Polymers Materials, 4(1), 129–140 (2022).
• A. Sinisi, M. Degli Esposti, S. Braccini, F. Chiellini, S. Guzman-Puyol, J.A. Heredia-Guerrero, D. Morselli and P. Fabbri. “Levulinic acid-based bioplasticizers: a facile approach to enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of polyhydroxyalkanoates”. Materials Advances, 2(24), 7869-7880 (2021).
• S. Schoch, M. Hadiji, S.A.P. Pereira, M.L.M.F.S. Saraiva, S. Braccini, F. Chiellini, T. Biver, S. Zacchini, G. Pampaloni, P.J. Dyson, F. Marchetti. “A Strategy to Conjugate Bioactive Fragments to Cytotoxic Diiron Bis(cyclopentadienyl) Complexes”. Organometallics, 40(15), 2516–2528 (2021).
• S. Braccini, G. Rizzi, L. Biancalana, A. Pratesi, S. Zacchini, G. Pampaloni, F. Chiellini, F. Marchetti. “Anticancer diiron vinyliminium complexes: A structure–activity relationship study”. Pharmaceutics, 13(8), 1158 (2021).
• S. Braccini, G. Provinciali, L. Biancalana, G. Pampaloni, F. Chiellini, F. Marchetti. “The cytotoxic activity of diiron bis-cyclopentadienyl complexes with bridging c3-ligands”. Applied Science, 11, 4351 (2021).
• G. Maisetta, A.M. Piras, V. Motta, S. Braccini, D. Mazzantini, F. Chiellini, Y. Zambito, S. Esin, G. Batoni. “Antivirulence properties of a low-molecular-weight quaternized chitosan derivative against pseudomonas aeruginosa”. Microorganisms, 9(5), 912 (2021).
• S. Braccini, G. Pecorini, F. Chiellini, D. Bakos, S. Miertus, V. Frecer. “Adhesion of fibroblast cells on thin films representing surfaces of polymeric scaffolds of human urethra rationalized by molecular models of integrin binding: cell adhesion on polymeric scaffolds for regenerative medicine”. Journal of Biotechnology, 324, 233–238 (2020).
• G. Agonigi, L.K. Batchelor, E. Ferretti, S. Schoch, M. Bortoluzzi, S. Braccini, F. Chiellini, L. Biancalana, S. Zacchini, G. Pampaloni, B. Sarkar, P.J. Dyson, F. Marchetti. “Mono-, Di- And tetra-iron complexes with selenium or sulphur functionalized vinyliminium ligands: Synthesis, structural characterization and antiproliferative activity”. Molecules, 25(7), 1656 (2020).
• D. Puppi, S. Braccini, A. Ranaudo, F. Chiellini. “Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyexanoate) scaffolds with tunable macro- and microstructural features by additive manufacturing”. Journal of Biotechnology, 308, 96-107 (2020).
• S. Schoch, L.K. Batchelor, T. Funaioli, G. Ciancaleoni, S. Zacchini, S. Braccini, F. Chiellini, T. Biver, G. Pampaloni, P.J. Dyson, F. Marchetti. “Diiron Complexes with a Bridging Functionalized Allylidene Ligand: Synthesis, Structural Aspects, and Cytotoxicity”. Organometallics, 39(2), 361-373 (2020).
• D. Rocco, L.K. Batchelor, G. Agonigi, S. Braccini, F. Chiellini, S. Schoch, T. Biver, T. Funaioli, S. Zacchini, L. Biancalana, M. Ruggeri, G. Pampaloni, P.J. Dyson, F. Marchetti. “Anticancer Potential of Diiron Vinyliminium Complexes”. Chemistry., 25(65), 14801-14816 (2019).
• A.M. Piras, A. Fabiano, S. Sartini, Y. Zambito, S. Braccini, F. Chiellini, A.G. Cataldi, F. Bartoli, A. de la Fuente, P.A. Erba. “pH-Responsive Carboxymethylcellulose Nanoparticles for 68Ga-WBC Labeling in PET Imaging”. Polymers., 11(10), 1615 (2019).
• D. Bellucci, S. Braccini, F. Chiellini, P. Balasubramanian, A.R. Boccaccini, V. Cannillo. “Bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics versus hydroxyapatite: Comparison of angiogenic potential and biological responsiveness”. J Biomed Mater Res A., 107(12), 2601-2609 (2019).
• G. Canil, S. Braccini, T. Marzo, L. Marchetti, A. Pratesi, T. Biver, T. Funaioli, F. Chiellini, J.D. Hoeschele, C. Gabbiani. “Photocytotoxic Pt(iv) complexes as prospective anticancer agents”. Dalton Trans., 48(29), 10933-10944 (2019).
• A. Massironi, A. Morelli, L. Grassi, D. Puppi, S. Braccini, G. Maisetta, S. Esin, G. Batoni, C. Della Pina, F. Chiellini. “Ulvan as novel reducing and stabilizing agent from renewable algal biomass: Application to green synthesis of silver nanoparticles”. Carbohydr Polym., 203, 310-321 (2019).
Oral communications at conferences:
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Poster communications at conferences:
• S. Braccini, G. Pecorini, C. Tacchini, F. Chiellini, D. Puppi. “3D In Vitro Modelling of Ovarian Cancer by Means of Additive Manufactured Chitosan-based Polyelectrolyte Complexes”, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS), November 15-19, 2021 – Maastricht.
• S. Braccini, G. Pecorini, C. Tacchini, F. Chiellini, D. Puppi. “In Vitro Three-Dimensional Ovarian Cancer Model based on Chitosan-Alginate Polyelectrolyte Complex Scaffolds by Computer-Aided Wet Spinning”, Advanced Functional Polymers for Medicine 2021 (AFPM2021), July 13-16, 2021 – Pisa.
• S. Braccini, G. Pecorini, C. Tacchini, F. Chiellini, D. Puppi. “Chitosan-Alginate Polyelectrolyte Complex Scaffolds by Additive Manufacturing for 3D In Vitro Modelling of Ovarian Cancer”, Chemistry For the Future-CFF2021, June 30-July 2, 2021 - Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13 – Pisa.
• S. Braccini, D. Puppi, G. Pecorini, F. Chiellini. “Cell Response to Polymeric Scaffolds based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and Poly(lactide-co-glycolide acid) for Bone Tissue Regeneration”, Innovative Researchers in Pharmaceutical & Environmental Sciences (IRPES2019), November 27, 2019 - Centro congressi “Le Benedettine”, Piazza S. Paolo a Ripa D'Arno 16, - Pisa.
• S. Braccini, D. Puppi, A. Morelli, R. Angeli, G. Pecorini, F. Chiellini. “Cell Response to Polymeric Scaffolds based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) prepared by Computer-Aided Wet Spinning Technique”, Chemistry For the Future-CFF2019, July 3-5, 2019 - Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13 – Pisa.
• S. Braccini, A. Morelli, D. Puppi, F. Chiellini. “Cell Response to Polymeric Scaffolds with Tunable Macro-microstructural Features Prepared by Additive Manufacturing”, Milan Polimer Day 2019 (MIPOL2019), March 11-13, 2019 – University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7 – Milan.
• S. Braccini, D. Puppi, G. Canil, D. Rocco, S. Schoch, C. Gabbiani, F. Marchetti, F. Chiellini. “Cell Culture in Biomaterials Science”, Chemistry For the Future-CFF2018, July 4-6, 2018 - Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13 – Pisa.
Other achievements:
• Best Poster Award: Chemistry For the Future-CFF2021, June 30-July 2, 2021 - Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13 – Pisa.
• Best Poster Award: Innovative Researchers in Pharmaceutical & Environmental Sciences (IRPES2019), November 27, 2019 - Pisa.
