PhotoPolyCarb · Biodegradable bottlebrush polycarbonates with benzophenone groups for the preparation of tissue engineering scaffolds

Over the past years, aliphatic polycarbonates (APCs) have gained prominence in the biomedical field in reason of their features allied to their in vivo bioresorbability. Unlike polyesters, the degradation products of APCs are acid free, which prevents tissue inflammation and drug denaturation upon their use as implants and drug vehicles, making them a potential material in the medical field. Simultaneously, the 3D printing of biomaterials has recently advanced the development of tailor-made implants, which can improve the patients’ health and quality of life. However, the translative impact of 3D printing to clinical use is still beset with limitations, including the brittle nature of the properties of materials that are available, the crosslinking chemistries that hinder translation into cell-laden biomaterials and toxicity of residual monomers and additives. PhotoPolyCarb aims to overcome these limitations by combining functional photoreactive polycarbonates from different topographies with stereolithography (SLA), thus avoiding the use of toxic monomers and photoinitiators during the printing process. In a transfer of knowledge, PhotoPolyCarb will bring together the expertise of the researchers in areas such as chemical engineering reactions (from the applicant), polymer chemistry (from the host) and bioengineering (from the secondment). The fellowship will permit the applicant to work with world-renowned research groups in the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering, allowing her to develop skills in an interdisciplinary environment and consolidate her career. The dissemination of research results will target the professional audience as well the public through outreach activities.