Plataforma Integral para la Fabricación, Evaluación y Comercialización de Andamios Óseos Personalizados con Biomateriales Avanzados: De la Impresión 3D al Modelo Animal (FI-006N-25)

The use of biocompatible and biodegradable materials has marked a significant shift in bone tissue engineering (BTE), as they enable the design of scaffolds capable of integrating without triggering adverse immune reactions. These supports promote cell adhesion and proliferation, while providing a temporary structure that degrades in a controlled manner to be replaced by natural bone. 3D printing has strengthened this field by allowing the creation of complex and customized scaffolds, although it still faces technical challenges related to precision and the mechanical properties of the materials.
Among the most promising compounds is silicon dioxide, abundant in nature and present in organisms such as diatoms. Silica nanostructures stand out for their high porosity, chemical stability, and large surface area, qualities that stimulate bone cell growth thanks to their low toxicity and biodegradability. In particular, mesoporous variants have shown very positive results in cell cultures, consolidating themselves as an attractive option for biomedical applications.
In a previous project, our group explored the combination of polylactic acid (PLA) with silica and calcium phosphate particles, generating scaffolds through fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. Results showed that silica improved the mechanical strength and porosity of the structures, enhancing cell interaction. This advance not only contributed scientific knowledge but also opened clinical perspectives in areas such as maxillofacial surgery and inspired entrepreneurial initiatives. However, scaffold resolution still depends on the limitations of the technology employed.
Stereolithography based on photopolymerization emerges as an alternative capable of overcoming these restrictions, offering more precise control over the internal architecture of scaffolds. The use of photopolymerizable resins with additives such as amorphous silica has proven to improve stability and mechanical properties, although further research is needed to understand how variations in concentration affect performance.
The project aims to develop and validate an experimental scaffold model based on commercial resins reinforced with different proportions of silica, with the goal of faithfully reproducing the microarchitecture of bone tissue. The initiative proposes research and development in collaboration with external units, leveraging new biocompatible medical-grade resins. The impact of mesoporous silica particles on mechanical, thermal, and optical properties, as well as on the photopolymerization process, will be evaluated. The scaffolds will be validated in vitro using organ-on-a-chip platforms and later in animal models. In this way, the project seeks to generate customized composite materials for 3D printing, with applications in bone regeneration and commercialization potential in the biomedical sector.

Desarrollar y validar nuevos materiales poliméricos compuestos que permitan el diseño y fabricación mediante fotopolimerización e impresión 3D de andamiajes apropiados para su uso en estrategias de Ingeniería de Tejidos y el desarrollo de investigación biofísica in vitro e in vivo mediante microfluídica, aplicada a la comprensión de la diferenciación y metabolismo de células animales en estos materiales de nueva generación.

Aplicaciones biomédicas