Project Details
Projekt
3D-printed thermoplastic collagen and β--tricalcium phosphate antibiotic carriers
Subject Area
Biomaterials
Term
since 2025
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 563333610
The aim of the project is to develop a 3D printing paste made of thermoplastic collagen (TC) with the addition of CaP particles in the form of β-TCP and antibiotics, which is suitable for additive manufacturing. The paste will be used to fabricate mechanically stable, open-pore 3D scaffolds. The influence of the parameters of the thermoplastic collagen production process (e.g. denaturation step, grinding), the composition of the TC paste (TC and CaP in different ratios (20/40/60/80 wt% TC) combined with each other), the antibiotics and the cross-linking agents on the printability of the paste will be investigated. Furthermore, the influence of paste composition and printing parameters on the mechanical properties of the 3D scaffolds and their mechanical stability will be investigated. In addition to biocompatibility and degradability, mechanical stability is crucial for an optimal bone graft substitute. The material and the corresponding scaffolds to be developed in this project should enable both local release of antibiotics above the minimum inhibitory concentration and over a period of several weeks (4 weeks release at concentrations well above the minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.5-2 µg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus) and promote the healing process. The primary functions of the antibiotics must not be altered by physical influences during production and 3D printing. This results in 5 work packages: WP 1. Preparation and characterization of printable pastes of TC, CaP and antibiotic (different TC as base). WP 2. Optimization of mechanical stability and surface finish. WP 3. Release of antibiotics. WP 4. Biocompatibility and cell interaction/colonization. WP 5 Proof of concept: TC/CaP Printer Filament
DFG Programme
Research Grants
