Prof. Gilmar Patrocinio Thim

Visiting professor (ITA, Brazil)

Innovative Silicate Bioactive Glass Scaffold Fabrication: Harnessing Silanol Nanoparticles for Enhanced Cellular Responses

Collaborators: Marcela Arango Ospina, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

This project aims to evaluate the biological performance and ionic release profile of 3D-printed alginate/gelatin xerogels soaked in aqueous solutions mimicking the stoichiometry of sodium-free 58S bioactive glass. The xerogels will be crosslinked with calcium ions and thoroughly washed to eliminate residual sodium, enabling a controlled environment for ion uptake and release. Soaking solutions with varying total ionic strengths, while maintaining the Si:Ca:P molar ratio of 58S bioactive glass, will be prepared to assess cytotoxicity, osteogenic activity and ion release kinetics. A key objective is to correlate the release profile with osteogenic markers. ICP-OES will be used to quantify ion release with precision. This study supports a broader effort to validate sodium-free, liquid-phase bioactive glass as a more flexible and controllable alternative to traditional melt-derived glasses, especially for applications requiring tailored ion delivery to enhance bone regeneration. Prof. Thim is recipient of a fellowship of FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo), Brazil.