Zeynep Doğa Özdener

Master student

NIR-triggered thermoresponsive microgels incorporated in PEG-based bioinks for cartilage tissue repair

Supervisors: Dr. Oscar Rabaux, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Laura De Laporte (RWTH Aachen)

Supervisor at FAU: Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Articular cartilage has limited regenerative capacity and is often damaged, affecting up to 20% of the Germany population aged 18–79 [1]. In the context of the in-wound printing of a PEG-based bioink for cartilage regeneration, this thesis focuses on the design of microgels for the mechanical stimulation of cells inside the hydrogel. Thermo-responsive polymers and gold nanorods enable light induced expansion–contraction cycles of the microgels. The subsequent mechanical stimulation will be varied by tuning the microgels or the light frequency and will be finally correlated to the cell growth.

[1] Fuchs J, Rabenberg M, Scheidt-Nave C. Prävalenz ausgewählter muskuloskelettaler Erkrankungen: Ergebnisse der Studie zur Gesundheit Erwachsener in Deutschland (DEGS1). Bundesgesundheitsblatt – Gesundheitsforsch – Gesundheitsschutz. 2013;56(5- 6):678-686. doi:10.1007/s00103-013-1687-4