# Bioactive cellulose-nanodiamond (CeND) scaffolds for applications in craniofacial bone tissue regeneration

> **NIH NIH SC1** · UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO RIO PIEDRAS · 2021 · $372,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The long-term goal of this research is to develop a semi-rigid bioactive scaffold based on cellulose-
nanodiamond (CeND) porous fibers for craniofacial bone tissue regeneration. The bioactive scaffolds will be
prepared in the form of fibers using the electrospining technique. The CeND are modified with growth and
adhesion factors aiming to improve the rate of bone tissue regeneration. We will achieve the overall goal of this
research by pursuing three main specific aims: 1) To formulate bioactive CeND solutions to generate porous
scaffolds; 2) To evaluate the biocompatibility of the bioactive CeND scaffolds in vitro using a bioreactor to
generate 3D tissue models; 3) To determine the osteoinductive capacity of bioactive CeND scaffolds in cranial
defects in rats. We hypothesize that by incorporating osteoinductive growth factors (i.e. BMP-2) along with
adhesion factors (i.e. KSRS and RGD peptides) in CeND-fibered scaffolds, we will be able to enhance the
deposition rate of newly formed mineralized tissue along the scaffold. Once the bioactive scaffolds are
fabricated we will physically, mechanically and biologically characterize the fibers with and without the growth
and adhesion factors. The biological characterization will be performed in-vitro utilizing human mesenchymal
stem cells (MSCs). Specifically, we will use inmmunohistochemical techniques to determine the ability of the
cells to growth, mature, adhere and differentiate when in contact with the bioactive flexible scaffolds. The in-
vitro experiments will be performed in Slow-Turning Lateral Vessel (STLV) bioreactor in order to generate 3D
tissue models over the scaffolds. We expect that this in-vitro technique will allow us to better predict the
performance of the scaffolds in-vivo. We will be able to answer fundamental questions regarding cell-surface
interactions with the goal of proposing a flexible bioactive scaffold with enhanced biomimetic properties. This
work will shed light on the use of semi-rigid scaffolds for craniofacial bone tissue regeneration and repair that is
of utmost importance to tackle medical conditions such as the cleft palate and other craniomaxillofacial
conditions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10240501
- **Project number:** 5SC1GM127220-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO RIO PIEDRAS
- **Principal Investigator:** Eduardo Nicolau
- **Activity code:** SC1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $372,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10240501

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10240501, Bioactive cellulose-nanodiamond (CeND) scaffolds for applications in craniofacial bone tissue regeneration (5SC1GM127220-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10240501. Licensed CC0.

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