Introduction
The unit works in the field of biomaterials, with five major topics of research:
- Development of anti-microbial surfaces;
- Development of an artificial larynx;
- Regeneration of dental pulp;
- Development of prostheses for congenital diaphragmatic hernia;
- Development of new polyphenol-based materials and methods for the self-assembly of films in the vicinity of surfaces.
The interactions between cells and these surfaces are also being studied in order to better control cell fate in the vicinity of surfaces.
Research Topics
Development of surfaces with anti-microbial properties
Development of surfaces with anti-microbial properties from polymer films by including anti-microbial peptides or polyelectrolytes with these same properties.
Development of an artificial larynx
The surgeons within the unit have performed the world's first implantation of an artificial larynx. A new larynx based more on tissue engineering is currently being developed.
Dental pulp regeneration
Work on electrospun materials enabling dental pulp regeneration.
Development of prostheses for congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia affects one in 3,000 children.
The unit is developing elastic prostheses that enable the reconstruction of the diaphragm
and adapt to the child's growth.
Development of new materials
The development of new polyphenol-based materials as well as new methods of self-assembly of films in the vicinity of surfaces. The study of interactions between cells and these surfaces in order to better control cell fate in the vicinity of surfaces.
Major events and works
The unit works in very diverse fields ranging from the clinical to materials.
Significant breakthroughs have been made in the field of antimicrobial surfaces using multilayers of polyarginine-based polyelectrolytes (A. Mutschler et al., Chemistry of Materials, 28, 8700, 2016; 29, 3195, 2017). This polyelectrolyte seems very promising for other applications in tissue engineering.
In the field of antimicrobial peptides, it has been shown that Chromogranin A detected when polytrauma patients are admitted is a marker of the occurrence of nosocomial infection. Measuring this protein would enable better management of patients at risk and thus reduce the number of cases of nosocomial infections.
In the field of cell/material interaction, the decondensation of tumour cell chromatin by successive passages over hard and soft physical environments has been demonstrated (M. Rabineau et al., Scientific Reports, 8, 12655, 2018). This work shows the importance of mechanical properties on cell fate.
The unit is also working on systems that self-assemble only in the vicinity of surfaces, with the aim of functionalising porous systems. Peptide-based systems that self-assemble locally by enzymatic means have been developed (J. Rodon Fores et al., Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 56, 15984, 2017).