Novel blood-based biomaterial used for personalised tissue regeneration
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a new approach to create regenerative materials using patients’ own blood, combined with synthetic peptides, demonstrating successful bone repair in animal studies.
Scientists have engineered a new class of ‘biocooperative’ materials that work in harmony with the body’s natural healing mechanisms, potentially offering a significant advancement in personalised regenerative medicine. The research, published in Advanced Materials, presents a method for transforming whole blood into structured implants that can be 3D printed while maintaining the regenerative properties of natural healing processes.
Integration with natural healing
The innovative approach leverages the body’s inherent healing capabilities rather than attempting to artificially recreate them. By combining synthetic peptide molecules with whole blood, the researchers have developed a methodology that enhances rather than replaces the natural regenerative haematoma (RH) – the crucial microenvironment that forms during the initial stages of tissue healing.
Professor Alvaro Mata, who led the study at the University of Nottingham’s Schools of Pharmacy and Chemical Engineering, explains: “For years, scientists have been looking at synthetic approaches to recreate the natural regenerative environment, which has proven difficult given its inherent complexity. Here, we have taken an approach to try to work with biology instead of recreating it.”
Clinical potential
The research demonstrates several key advantages that could make this approach particularly valuable in clinical settings. The materials maintain normal platelet behaviour, generate growth factors, and successfully recruit cells essential for healing – all while being amenable to manipulation and 3D printing.
Dr Cosimo Ligorio, co-author from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham, highlights the practical implications: “The possibility to easily and safely turn people’s blood into highly regenerative implants is really exciting. Blood is practically free and can be easily obtained from patients in relatively high volumes.”
Therapeutic applications
The study, which included successful bone repair demonstrations in animal models, suggests broad potential applications in regenerative medicine. The team’s ‘biocooperative’ approach could offer new possibilities for personalised treatments, as it utilises the patient’s own blood to create bespoke regenerative materials.
The methodology represents a departure from traditional tissue engineering approaches that typically focus on creating synthetic alternatives to natural healing environments. Instead, this approach harnesses and enhances the body’s existing regenerative mechanisms, potentially offering a more effective path to tissue repair.
Future directions
While the initial results are promising, particularly in bone repair, the researchers suggest their toolkit could be adapted for various clinical applications. The ability to transform patient blood into tuneable regenerative implants could provide healthcare providers with new options for personalised regenerative therapies.
The study marks a significant step forward in the field of regenerative medicine, offering a practical approach that could be implemented within clinical settings. The research team’s focus on working with rather than replacing natural healing processes could influence future developments in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Reference:
Soraya Padilla-Lopategui, Cosimo Ligorio, Wenhuan Bu., et al. (2024). Biocooperative regenerative materials by harnessing blood-clotting and peptide self-assembly. Advanced Materials. 14 November 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202407156
