Laboratory for Biomaterials

Laboratory for biomaterials provides a wide range of possibilities for processing, synthesis and characterization of biomaterials, including biodegradation, testing antimicrobial properties and investigating cytotoxicity and interactions with human cells.

Synthesis and processing: Biomaterials have been synthesis using wet chemistry and classical precipitation. Approaches include sonochemical synthesis, ultrasound- assisted surface functionalization, urea-assisted precipitation, co-precipitation, structural doping, etc. Processing is mainly focused on surface modifications and designing specific polymeric structures. The approaches available for surface modification include ligand exchange, etching and surface adhesion. Processing polymers is performed using heated uniaxial drawing into drawn films, template- assisted processing into aligned pillar structures, and electrospinning into aligned or random fibers (on static or rotational drum collector).

Testing biodegradation: Investigations of biodegradation are performed under simulated body fluid conditions, including SBF (or other relevant) medium, at 37C and with shaking. The process enables monitoring physicochamical properties of biomaterials (particularly polymeric) in aqueous environment and following release of active components.

Biosafety: The Laboratory for Biomaterials has certification for Biosafety level 1 (BSL1) work and enables work with BSL1 and BSL2 genetically non-modified organisms.

Microbiological testing: Standard antimicrobial testing include susceptibility (i.e. agar diffusion test), bacterial growth kinetics (microdilution tests), quantification by agar plating (minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentrations). In case of solid surfaces, including films, metallic surfaces and membranes, drop-test (modified ISO 221906 standard for measuring antibacterial activity on plastic and other non-porous surfaces) is applied. Testing is possible in a range of gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Advanced testing in clinically-isolated bacterial strains, including antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is available. Tests is also available in bacteriophage models.

Human cells testing: Testing in human cells include cytotoxicity, proliferation and directional migration. The cells are grown on plate or directly at the tested surfaces. Testing are performed using optimized fluorescence staining protocols and they are based on metabolic activity, compactness of the membrane or detecting components of the cytoskeleton (actin filaments). A set up for piezostimulation is available which enables ultrasound-activation of the piezoelectric films (with 1MHz or 37/80kHz ultarsound).

Electron microscopy of biological samples: The protocols are available for fixation, dehydration, staining and controlled drying (chemical or CO2 critical point) of bacterial and human cells for observing at electron microscopes (SEM and TEM).

All biomaterials-related work takes place in a specialized controlled environment in a clean room, which is an integral part of the Laboratory for Biomaterials and provides a controlled environment for handling cells and bacteria with a focus on sterility and safety. Clean room is equipped with two laminar flow hoods that provide a sterile working environment for parallel work with cell and bacterial cultures, including separate incubators for cell and bacterial cultures to maintain optimal growth conditions.