In vitro and in vivo tissue engineering approaches in regenerative medicine

The laboratory of “Stem cell and tissue engineering” has a well-established expertise in tissue engineering techniques, especially in cell culture, cell-biomaterial interactions, morphological studies and molecular biology analysis of differentiating cells. In particular, we perform in vitro biological characterization of 3D-bio-complexes, composed by cells of mesenchymal origin and different types of scaffolds and nanomaterials that represent highly promising tools both for in vivo and in vitro studies on damaged tissues [1]. We focus especially on bone regeneration for orthopedic and dentistry applications. We isolated stem cells from different sites and study their interactions with different kind of organic or inorganic biomaterials or nanostructured surfaces. For example, thanks to the collaboration with Human Brain Wave srl (Turin, Italy), we use Rigenera® system, a biologic tissue disaggregator, to isolate micro-grafts of 50 micron from a few millimeters sample of autologous connective tissue (like periosteum or dermis) [2]. In order to characterize the bio-complexes in term of cell viability, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, we perform histological analysis with several staining (like Hematoxylin-Eosin, Alizarin Red S, Toluidine Blue, Oil Red) and viability test (XTT assay). In addition, we routinely perform gene expression analysis with quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR), using different primers designed to establish the differential expression of the most important genes associated with bone differentiation (as Osteocalcin, Osteopontin, Decorin, Alkaline Phosphatase) [3]. Overall, our lab research aims to increase significant findings and new perspectives for in vitro studies of bone healing and regeneration