DEVELOPING BIOENGINEERED 3D-PRINTED COMPOSITE SCAFFOLDS WITH OSTEOGENIC POTENTIAL

The purpose of this research activity was to produce composite hydrogel-bioactive glass materials. The primary goal was to develop and optimize 3D printed scaffolds using doped bioglass, aiming at enhancing bone regeneration in bone defects. The bioglass, a bioactive material known for its bone-bonding ability (SiO 2 –P 2 O 5 –CaO–Na 2 O), co-doped with europium and silver was synthesized and doped to improve its biological properties. This doped bioglass was then combined with a biocompatible hydrogel, chosen for its adequate cellular response and printability. The composite material was printed to form a scaffold, providing a structure that not only supported the damaged bone, but also encouraged osteogenesis. A variety of methods were employed to assess the rheological, compositional, structural, and morphological characteristics of the samples: Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Additionally, immunocytochemistry for cell viability was used to evaluate the biological response of the scaffolds.