My principal research interests lie in the field of biomaterials for tissue engineering. The work is based on 3D-scaffolds and injectable materials cellular behaviour, in terms of proliferation and differentiation. These materials showed a good effect on bone and osteochondral regeneration. In particular, one of the subject of my research was the study of the biological osteogenic and angiogenic properties for bone defects repair, in specific disease such as osteoporosis. On the other hand, my experience is also related to study inflammatory cells such as macrophages, in order to evaluate the 3D-scaffolds effect on inflammatory response. The thesis provides an overview of innovative strategies in bone tissue regeneration. In particular, it concerns the advantages of using scaffolds and injectable biomaterials in tissue engineering for their restorative and regenerative applications. The principle idea of the work is developing new types of bioactive materials in order to repair bone defects associated to disease such as osteoporosis. Indeed, the topic is focused on the functional use of “soft” materials for bone regeneration. Particularly, the work is based on the study, optimization and evaluation of more systems that support bone regeneration by increasing the production of osteoblast in osteoporotic site as a new frontier for osteoporosis treatment. Particularly, the main aim concerns the bioactivation of porous composite scaffolds based on chitosan for bone regeneration by using two different approaches. The scaffolds were prepared by Dr. Demitri at University of Salento (Italy). In addition, the interest also was to evaluate the in vitro effect of 3D chitosan scaffolds on Angiogenesis process during my stage at IBEC (Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain) under supervision of Prof. Elisabeth Engel. Moreover, the PhD work is based on the fabrication of calcium phosphate injectable injectable materials functionalized with ionic liquids by sol-gel technique promoting bone regeneration and to prevent microbial infection and anti-inflammatory response
