Keywords
Nanotechnology; Regenerative Medicine; Tissue Engineering; Biomedical Therapeutics; Biomaterials; Bone Tissue Regeneration
Abstract
Improper healing of bone fractures and limited regeneration of bone following bone tumor resection remain a prevalent complication worldwide. Long-term effects of this include joint instability, limited movement, and arthritis. Bone infections (osteomyelitis), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation via excessive inflammation, and underlying conditions such as osteoporosis can contribute to suboptimal bone tissue regeneration. ROS accumulation stimulates osteoblast apoptosis, while promoting osteoclast differentiation. These processes inhibit mineralization and osteogenesis. Conventional therapeutics involve the utilization of drugs and bone grafts. However, these approaches pose limitations and can result in subsequent complications. Microbial infections, ROS accumulation, and excessive inflammations are factors that hinder endogenous bone tissue regeneration mechanisms. Thus, research has been focused on investigating interventional systems that promote osteoblast activity, combat microbial infections, stimulate free radical scavenging, and modulate inflammation. Recent studies with polycaprolactone revealed its potential to serve as an osteoinductive material due to its ability to support cell adhesion, migration, differentiation, and proliferation. Furthermore, silver exhibits antimicrobial activity, directs collagen and fibroblast formation, and enhances bone healing. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) facilitate bone tissue regeneration by scavenging free radicals, mitigating inflammation, and preventing oxidative stress, thereby inhibiting apoptosis. Noting these properties, we integrated silver-doped CNPs within the polycaprolactone matrix to fabricate nanocomposite scaffolds. Comprehensive studies confirmed successful fabrication of nanocomposite scaffolds. In vitro cell viability assays revealed the nanocomposite scaffolds exhibited negligible cytotoxicity to human macrophages. Degradation assays showed favorable degradation of scaffolds under conditions mimicking the physiological environment. Superoxide dismutase assays confirmed the scaffolds’ free radical scavenging abilities. Bacterial inhibition assays showed the scaffolds posed bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Alkaline phosphatase assays, alizarin red stain, and qPCR will be utilized to assess the potential for the scaffolds to induce human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into functional osteoblasts.
Thesis Completion Year
2025
Thesis Completion Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair
Seal, Sudipta
College
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Department
Materials Science and Engineering; Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences
Thesis Discipline
Biomaterials; Tissue Engineering
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
1 year
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Pawar, Shreya S., "Fabricating Silver-Ceria Polymer Nanocomposite Scaffolds for Biomedical Therapeutic Applications" (2025). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 354.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/354
Included in
Biology and Biomimetic Materials Commons, Biomaterials Commons, Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Engineering Commons, Musculoskeletal Diseases Commons, Musculoskeletal, Neural, and Ocular Physiology Commons, Nanomedicine Commons, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons, Orthopedics Commons, Polymer and Organic Materials Commons, Therapeutics Commons, Translational Medical Research Commons, Wounds and Injuries Commons
Rights Statement
