Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition of at least one predominantly positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer and at least one predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte polymer, a preferred composition comprises poly-L-lysine and a gellan gum, preferably a methacrylate gellan gum. The present subject-matter further relates to methods for generating composition of the present disclosure and to uses of a mixture according to the disclosure for biomedical applications such as cellular and acellular systems for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications or as drug delivery systems, for the treatment of several diseases namely diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method to produce fibers with different segments along the major axis. The different segments can be constituted of the same materials that entrap different objects (molecules, particles) or can be made of different materials. The different segments are made thanks to a junction and by alternating the dispensing of such materials using different inlet channels. This method allows the production of fibers that can be used as processed or after being further manipulated by other processes, as single devices or as building blocks to construct devices that are more complex. Fibers with different segments along the axis can be exploited for a wide range of applications as medical devices and/or as drug delivery system and/or as matrices to be used for acellular tissue regeneration and cellular tissue engineering/regenerative medicine strategies and/or as supports for imaging in high throughput screening.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a blood derivatives based nanocomposite materials incorporating comprising oxidized cellulose nanocrystals, methods for their production, and uses thereof. Also disclosed herein is a method for the production of oxidized cellulose nanocrystals with gradients of sulfation degree and their use to modulate the affinity of protein content of blood derivatives/cellulose nanocrystals nanocomposite materials. Therefore, the present disclosure is useful use in regenerative medicine and/or tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an exopolysaccharide, in particular to Kefiran and its use in regenerative medicine and/or tissue engineering, compositions, scaffolds and the use of Kefiran in regenerative medicine and/or tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a silk fibroin tubular conduit, a new methodology for obtaining said silk fibroin tubular conduit, and respective uses. The tubular conduit of the present disclosure can be used in treatment of diseases that involve the repair and/or regeneration of tissues, nerves or bone. In particular, the tubular conduit can be used for peripheral nerve regeneration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gellan gum and gellan gum-based hydrogels (GG-based hydrogels) for promoting chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells, preferentially osteogenic. The present disclosure also relates to a composition for use in bone, cartilage and soft tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, preferably for use in bone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition of at least one predominantly positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer and at least one predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte polymer, a preferred composition comprises poly-L-lysine and a gellan gum, preferably a methacrylate gellan gum. The present subject-matter further relates to methods for generating composition of the present disclosure and to uses of a mixture according to the disclosure for biomedical applications such as cellular and acellular systems for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications or as drug delivery systems, for the treatment of several diseases namely diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: A rotational dual chamber bioreactor for cell culture in bi- and multi-layered scaffolds, in the context of tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine strategies is disclosed, which comprises at least two dual culture chambers, a multiposition magnetic stirrer plate, and at least two flow pumps coupled to a monitor device to register biochemical parameters such as pH, pO2, glucose and urea sensors and physical parameters like pressure. A central barrier, with a hole to insert the bilayer scaffold, is used to culture cells with different conditions in each compartment of the chamber, avoiding medium exchange. Each chamber can rotate 180° (horizontal), which is promoted by magnetic stirrers, the multiposition stirrer plate is adapted dimensionally to the culture plate dimensions and also allows 180° vertical rotation. Each dual chamber has detachable caps for the top and the bottom chambers, the top cap to compress the scaffold thereby providing compressive stimulus with torsion simultaneously.

Abstract: Stents and methods for producing stents are provided. The stent includes a polymeric substrate comprised of 10-50% (w/w) of alginate and 45-85% (w/w) of gelatine and further includes a polymeric biodegradable resin for coating said polymeric substrate. The stent can also include a contrast agent. The stent can further include a crosslinking agent. The method for producing the stent includes dissolving the alginate and gelatine in water and stirring to obtain a polymeric substrate. The method also includes adding a crosslinking agent to the substrate, injecting the substrate into a mold to obtain the stent, placing the stent in a first alcohol solution, and placing the stent in a crosslinking agent solution. The method further includes placing the stent in a second alcohol solution, and a series of interchanging drying and immersing steps.

Abstract: The present application describes a polymeric mesh for the repair and regeneration of tissues from an organism that comprises pores wherein at least 70% of the pores of the said mesh have a size smaller than the one required to confine the cells of the said tissues, and wherein at least 70% of the pores of the said mesh has a size superior than the one needed for the passage of interstitial fluids of the said tissues; the degradation time of the said polymeric mesh within the organism is at least 8 weeks; the said polymeric mesh has an apparent tensile strength superior than 1 MPa; the said polymeric mesh has an apparent elastic modulus superior than 0.1 MPa. The mesh described in this application allows that the “new tissue” formed presents very similar properties to the ones of the damaged tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-chamber bioreactor, preferably in a polymeric material with a 3D structure, adapted for cell-mono and co-culture, with at least two entries and outputs of culture medium adaptable to be used as a static culture system and to incorporate a dynamic platform creating a bioreactor. The disclosure also relates to a technique based on a bioreactor device that allows the creation of two or more different tissues integrated with the natural phenotype, using an integrated and continuous 3D support structure.

Abstract: There is described an ulvan containing composition. This composition is a viscosupplement composition and can be used in the treatment or prophylaxis of arthritis. Also described is a method of treating a musculoskeletal disease, such as 5 arthritis, by administering the ulvan containing composition.

Abstract: Products for repairing cartilage lesions, method of preparation and uses thereof The present disclosure provides products and methods of preparation thereof, said products comprising a matrix of methacrylated gellan gum having a methacrylation degree between 1.5 and 6%, cartilage forming cells and a physiologically acceptable ionic solution containing cations, for application in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, in particular cartilage lesions.

Abstract: The present application discloses cell-adhesive gellan gum spongy-like hydrogels that are able to entrap/encapsulate adherent cells, which spread within the material, maintaining their phenotype and remaining viable and proliferative. The methodology used to obtain these materials involves hydrogel preparation, freezing, freeze-drying and re-hydration with a saline solution with cells and with/without bioactive molecules. No pre and/or post functionalization of the spongy-like hydrogels with cell adhesive features, as used for other hydrogels, is used. The cell adhesive character of these materials, not observed in hydrogels, is in part explained by their physical properties, between sponges and hydrogels, dissimilar from the precursor hydrogels. The physical properties that are mainly different are the morphology, microstructure, water content, and mechanical performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biofunctional polymeric substrates product comprising immobilized antibodies that selective bind to antigens namely autologous growth factors and an inflammatory molecule, uses and method of production. The bio-functional polymeric substrate can be used in a quantification method of antigens namely soluble growth factors, inflammatory molecules and hormones or the biofunctional polymeric substrate can be used to isolate extracellular vesicules. The biofunctional polymeric substrate can be also used in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine approaches, namely in bone and cartilage lesions, esophageal lesions, periodontal ligament reconstruction and skin lesions regeneration or treatment.

Abstract: The present application discloses cell-adhesive gellan gum spongy-like hydrogels that are able to entrap/encapsulate adherent cells, which spread within the material, maintaining their phenotype and remaining viable and proliferative. The methodology used to obtain these materials involves hydrogel preparation, freezing, freeze-drying and re-hydration with a saline solution with cells and with/without bioactive molecules. No pre and/or post functionalization of the spongy-like hydrogels with cell adhesive features, as used for other hydrogels, is used. The cell adhesive character of these materials, not observed in hydrogels, is in part explained by their physical properties, between sponges and hydrogels, dissimilar from the precursor hydrogels. The physical properties that are mainly different are the morphology, microstructure, water content, and mechanical performance.

Abstract: The present application describes a polymeric mesh for the repair and regeneration of tissues from an organism that comprises pores wherein at least 70% of the pores of the said mesh have a size smaller than the one required to confine the cells of the said tissues, and wherein at least 70% of the pores of the said mesh has a size superior than the one needed for the passage of interstitial fluids of the said tissues; the degradation time of the said polymeric mesh within the organism is at least 8 weeks; the said polymeric mesh has an apparent tensile strength superior than 1 MPa; the said polymeric mesh has an apparent elastic modulus superior than 0.1 MPa. The mesh described in this application allows that the “new tissue” formed presents very similar properties to the ones of the damaged tissue.

Abstract: A rotational dual chamber bioreactor for cell culture in bi- and multilayered scaffolds, in the context of tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine strategies is disclosed which comprises at least two dual culture chambers, a multiposition magnetic stirrer plate, and at least two flow pumps which can be coupled to a monitor device to register biochemical parameters such as pH, pO2, glucose and urea sensors and physical parameters like pressure. The dual culture chambers have a central barrier with a hole to insert the bilayer scaffold, such chamber is used to culture cells with different conditions in each compartment of the chamber, avoiding medium exchange. Each chamber can rotate 180° (horizontal), being the rotations per minute controlled independently. The rotation is promoted by magnetic stirrers, having magnets performing the attraction between the bottom part of the dual chamber and the stirring position of the plate.

Abstract: This invention refers to photo-crosslinked hydrogel materials based in gellan gum suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications or as drug delivery systems. Formulations of gellan gum with different degrees of acylation serve as precursor material for insertion of a polymerizable moiety. The materials are capable of free radical polymerization with a photo-initiator at mild temperatures and exposure to ultraviolet light, enabling control of reticulation and withstanding the encapsulation of human and animal cells and/or drugs, and any combination thereof. The physicochemical and biological properties can be adjusted by combining different formulations of gellan gum and reaction conditions.

Abstract: This invention refers to photo-crosslinked hydrogel materials based in gellan gum suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications or as drug delivery systems. Formulations of gellan gum with different degrees of acylation serve as precursor material for insertion of a polymerizable moiety. The materials are capable of free radical polymerization with a photo-initiator at mild temperatures and exposure to ultraviolet light, enabling control of reticulation and withstanding the encapsulation of human and animal cells and/or drugs, and any combination thereof. The physicochemical and biological properties can be adjusted by combining different formulations of gellan gum and reaction conditions.