Novel ionically conductive biomaterial scaffolds for cardiovascular tissue engineering

Dr Aleksandra Serafin    University College Limerick & University of Oxford 

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent diseases which include the heart and the surrounding blood vessels, such as myocardial infarction (heart attack), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), heart failure, etc. CVDs have traditionally been treated with medication and limited surgical interventions which include heart transplants. These are considered as the best treatment route available, even with limitations present, such as lack of donors and long patient waiting lists contributing as the predominant limiting factors. It is estimated that only about 10% of the world’s needs for donated tissues and organs is met worldwide, making this a pressing global health crisis.

A proposed solution to this pressing problem centres on Tissue Engineering (TE). Generally, the combination of biocompatible material scaffolds, as well as cells and bioactive molecules, are used to construct and implant the scaffolds in-vivo to achieve tissue integration and regeneration. Hydrogel systems and scaffolds have been extensively studied for this purpose, particularly due to the ease of hydrogel production and high-water content which can replicate natural tissue consistency. Cardiovascular TE has recently seen a rise in research in electroconductive materials, though the biodegradability of such materials is not fully understood or tested. If such a material cannot properly be degraded within the implantation site, it could cause toxicity issues in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys or lungs.

Dr Serafin’s research focuses on the circumvention of this issue by raising the conductivity of the scaffolds in a more natural way, utilising ions which are naturally present in the body for this purpose, which has not been explored to date in the field of TE. This novel scaffold will be based on the mechanical properties of the heart in a biomimicry manner, with excellent material flexibility to replicate the contractile nature of the heart.  Dr Serafin will be mentored by Professor Maurice Collins, University of Limerick and Professor Molly Stevens, University of Oxford over the 3 years of the fellowship.