Projects
Tissue Scaffold Vehicle
Characterisation and Further Development of a Novel Tissue Scaffold Vehicle for the Delivery of Regenerative and Antibacterial Strategies
Lead N8 Academic: Dr Xuebin Yang, Leeds
A partnership between: Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds; Neotherix Ltd; and the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation University of Bradford
Current regenerative strategies include the use of stem cells in combination with biomaterial scaffolds (structures capable of supporting three-dimensional tissue formation) with/without growth factors to regenerate a range of tissues. Unfortunately, as with any surgical procedure, the risk of failure due to infection can be high, especially in dentistry.
Although antibiotics are widely used, the incidence of bacterial resistance means that an effective method for promoting tissue repair, whilst minimising the rate of failure and complications due to infection is required.
This project aims to develop an innovative technology combining a novel scaffold, stem cells and photodynamic therapy (PDT) to provide enhanced tissue repair/regeneration, whilst reducing infection rates in the mouth following procedures such as gingival grafting, root coverage and removal of oral cancer , particularly where bacterial infection is a major cause of graft loss and surgical re-work. Our aim is to deliver PDT at the surgical site via a novel resorbable scaffold into which a photosensitiser is incorporated.
The photosensitiser will be controllably released as the scaffold is resorbed. Following uptake by bacteria, the photosensitiser will be activated by light at an appropriate time point following implantation to control bacterial load without compromising stem cell viability. The results from this project will support the progression of a prototype regenerative therapy product for the restoration of diseased, damaged and excised tissues in dentistry towards clinical and commercial development.
