The National Institute of C&T in Biomanufacturing (INCT-BIOFABRIS) aims to develop an integrated methodology for biomanufacturing of bioactive structures in order to promote and improve the performance of organs or tissues from a multidisciplinary approach, involving expertise in engineering, life sciences, and basic sciences.
The domain of this research institute is an emerging area and has huge emerging potential impact on the quality of life of human beings. This proposal aims to bring together researchers working in various fields of biomaterials knowledge in our country for the creation of a Biomanufacturing Institute. The core of the network activities of biomanufacturing, BIOFABRIS, is the invention, conceptual development, enhancement, implementation and improvement of the biomanufacturing processes, structural and functional characterization, and application of biomaterials. On the one hand, this primary focus is based on basic research. On the other hand, this main focus is extended to applied research of pre-clinical and clinical stages.
The expected results of this project are biomaterials for the synthesis of a large number of clinical applications that will allow a reduction in the levels of failure of the existing biomaterials, as well as reduce the cost and broaden the sphere of action and insertion of these new technologies in our society.
In this sense, BIOFABRIS aims to establish a particular methodology of biomanufacturing which will go through the following areas:
- materials: evaluation and selection of materials with potential for application in biomanufacturing, with special emphasis on materials obtained from existing natural resources in countries that are part of this network. Evaluation of aspects related to biocompatibility, biodegradability and sterilization of materials, and material/cell interaction. Evaluation of biomimetic strategies of surface modification for increasing the bioactivity of the materials in order to facilitate the adhesion and growth of the cell in an orderly manner;
- manufacturing techniques: evaluation of the current biomanufacturing additive techniques and selection of biomanufacturing technologies which own the network. These technologies are supposed to be simple, reproducible, and low-cost, allowing the direct printing of cells or of cells encapsulated in polymeric structures. The selected techniques are also supposed to allow the obtainment of structures and devices for medical applications in a wide range of materials. The development of this set of techniques will also include the use of data processing systems for medical imaging (Tomography, Resonance, etc.) and the creation of CAD (Computer Aided Design) models;
- computer simulation: the development of a software of project and optimization of support matrices for tissue engineering that has the ability to integrate degradation rates, temporal variation of mechanical, chemical, and biological characteristics.
- synthesis, processing (or manufacturing) of biomaterials selected from (1), made by techniques selected from (2); characterization of biomaterials concerning their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility in vivo and in vitro.
Another important objective of the BIOFABRIS Institute is to create a training program which allows the generation of highly prepared multidisciplinary researchers able to face the challenges of biomanufacturing and their use in medicine. In this sense, the Institute will develop a set of actions with specific training objectives, namely:
- mobility of researchers among the different involved institutions as a way of sharing knowledge;
- definition of a common program of postgraduate training based on a system of credits (the credits can be obtained in the different institutions involved in the network);
- training of all the involved partners on the state of the art of different topics related to biomanufacturing as a way to create a common knowledge base;
- organization of workshops and seminars in the Institute;
- organization of workshops, seminars, and training courses for researchers outside the Institute BIOFABRIS;
- development of a digital educational tool to supplement classroom training, or even remotely, to the scientific community and young students;
- organization of dissemination events (or more publications in general) to the general public and young students in order to raise the awareness of the importance of science and its relevance in the medical field. These sessions aim to give the young a taste for scientific activities and promote the network activities of the non-integrated researchers;
- edition of scientific books, works in collaboration among the partners of the Institute (or foreign guests of this event), to enable better training of researchers in this multidisciplinary biomanufacturing field.
They are also objectives of this Institute:
- to combat and overcome the fragmentation of research in the field of biomanufacturing, integrating knowledge and skills, and to develop a strategy to promote improvement of quality of life for patients;
- to integrate Brazilian research centers with strong scientific skills, which together with industrial partners develop research in the field of biomanufacturing in an aligned and integrated way.
