Hybrid living bioengineered hierachical constructs with self-oxygenating capability for bone engineering

Tissue engineering (TE) is a multi-disciplinary field that allows the fabrication of hybrid constructs to repair, replace, or induce tissue regeneration.

Cells encapsulated in 3D scaffolds have been widely employed; however, encapsulation limits the homogeneous perfusion of vital soluble factors and oxygen.

This results from the failure to stabilize a vascularised network within the scaffold and can lead to reduced cell proliferation, gene expression, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition.

With this, O2CELLS aims to develop cutting-edge advanced devices by employing an integrative strategy with natural-based biomaterials that combine with self-oxygenating microalgae and tissue progenitor cells in original multiscale structural arrangements that will stimulate the regeneration of high-quality vascularised microtissues.

For this, perinatal tissues will provide human structural proteins and stem cells with unique features that will be used for the fabrication of bioinks enriched with liquefied microcapsules (Pockets) containing the microalgae and mesenchymal cells, and endothelial cells (HUVECs).

These biomaterials hierarchical features and angiogenic and osteogenic potential will be fully characterized in vitro and in vivo.

O2CELLS will combine a diversity of individually pioneering concepts that could be used in the bioengineering of distinct human tissues, both for therapies and for disease model development.

This ground-breaking concept is expected to pave the way to solve one of the significant challenges faced by in vitro bioengineered constructs and devise a broad disruptive platform for tissue engineering or other biotechnology challenges.

The technology developed on O2CELLS has the potential to be exceptionally rewarding to the scientific and medical communities which are in line with Goal 3 of UN 2030 Agenda (healthy life and well-being for everyone of all ages).