MIT Innovators under 35 LATAM 2017

MIT Technology Review has published the 35 Innovators under 35 LATAM 2017.

In this edition, Dr. Florencia Montini Ballarin was awarded as Pionner for the research in new synthetic bioresorbable vascular grafts with biomimetic properties.

The replacement of small-diameter vessels is one of the main challenges in vascular tissue engineering. A small-diameter vascular graft with biomimetic response and antithrombogenic features is key factor in the success of the therapy. Even more, the ideal vascular grafts should maintain these functions while natural tissue regenerates. In this project, an only-electrospun bilayered vascular graft was developed from blends of bioresorbable poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and segmented polyurethane (PHD) with a specific composition designed to mimic natural coronary arteries’ collagen and elastin ratio. It was corroborated that electrospun scaffolds of PLLA and PHD behave mechanically similar to collagen and elastin, respectively. Even more, a J-shaped response in the range of natural vessels was obtained when the grafts were tested in dynamic pulsatile regimes. The grafts showed that they would bioreabsorbe evenly within the in vitro tissue regeneration time, which allows them to maintain their functionality until new tissue is form. Platelet adhesion was prevented (90% reduction in platelet) by surface modification of the inner layer of the vascular grafts. The grafts also showed good biocompatibility and bioactivity, proved by good mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) proliferation. Overall, these electrospun bilayered vascular grafts are suitable and promising tailor-made devices for coronary arteries replacement.