Annachiara Scalzone
Using 3D bioprinting to produce in vitro models of articular cartilage tissue.
Email: a.scalzone2@ncl.ac.uk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annachiara-scalzone-112b40a5/
Project supervisors
Project description
I am developing a scalable process for the production of in vitro healthy and pathological models. They are representative of articular cartilage (AC) tissue. They will provide platforms for testing novel therapeutic treatments.
I will generate cell-biomaterial engineered in vitro constructs. With internal and external spatial arrangement, these may mature into functional tissue. They will allow analysis of damaged or diseased AC. This is in line with the 3Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) based on the more ethical use of animals in testing. AC tissue consists of four zones. Extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, morphology, and cellular and mechanical properties differ between the zones.
In particular, I am exploring 3D bioprinting using the Rokit INVIVO Printer. This is an emerging biofabrication technology. The tool will provide multi-layered constructs with control over spatial resolution, shape, and mechanical properties. These will bio-mimic the heterogeneous stratified nature of AC. The materials are thermoresponsive, photocurable or chemically crosslinked natural-based hydrogel. I am using cell source primary chondrocytes or chondrocytes. I will obtain these from differentiated mesenchymal stem cells in the form of single cells or spheroids.
Publications
- Pierantozzi D, Scalzone A, Jindal S, Stipniece L, Salma-Ancane K, Dalgarno K, Gentile P, Mancuso E. 3D printed Sr-containing composite scaffolds: Effect of structural design and material formulation towards new strategies for bone tissue engineering. Composites Science and Technology 2020, 191, 108069.
- Bonifacio MA, Cochis A, Cometa S, Scalzone A, Gentile P, Procino G, Milano S, Scalia AC, Rimondini L, De Giglio E. Advances in cartilage repair: The influence of inorganic clays to improve mechanical and healing properties of antibacterial Gellan gum-Manuka honey hydrogels. Materials Science and Engineering: C 2020, 108, 110444.
- Scalzone A, Ferreira AM, Tonda-Turo C, Ciardelli G, Dalgarno K, Gentile P. The interplay between chondrocyte spheroids and mesenchymal stem cells boosts cartilage regeneration within a 3D natural-based hydrogel. Scientific Reports 2019, 9(1), 14630.
Interests
Bioengineering, biomaterials, tissue engineering, biofabrication, additive manufacturing, cells culture, bioprinting, nanotechnologies.
Qualifications
BSCs in Biomedical Engineering (Universita’ degli studi di Napoli “Federico II”): 1st class with honours
MSCs in Bionanotechnologies ( Politecnico di Torino): 1st class