Mat2Rep  is aimed to develop new pharmacological agents in two therapeutic areas: A. the acute phase of traumatic and vascular lesions of the central nervous system (CNS); B. chronic non healing skin ulcers.
The design and manufacturing of the new products requires the convergence of chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and material science competences.

Therapeutic area A: acute phase of traumatic and vascular CNS lesions

Two design strategies are adopted:

1) electroconductive materials to improve CNS repair;

2) biomaterial-assisted drug delivery.

Strategy 1: a hydrogel-based electroconductive material has been developed by the ISTEC-CNR lab and characterized for its mechanical and conductive properties. The material is under testing using primary cultures of cortical neurons by the CIRI-SDV (UNIBO), facing and overcoming imaging and bio-compatibility issues. Functional monitoring will be carried out by MISTER, using electronic devices based on organic and inorganic (Au/SiNws) materials for the extracellular recording of electrophysiological signals in a non-invasive way.

Strategy 2: multifunctional biodegradable nanoparticles have been produced by the UNIMORE lab, aimed to deliver a mix of drugs (ibuprofen, T3 and erythropoietin) on the injured site, optimizing the encapsulation method, stability, release control, chemical-physical and morphological characteristics. Nanoparticles are under testing at CIRI-SDV and IRET for biocompatibility and efficacy

Therapeutic area B: chronic non healing skin ulcers

An integrin agonist has been selected and synthetized at CIRI-SDV (UNIBO), together with a molecule able to enhance wound healing (nerve growth factor – NGF). An electrospun polymer containing the molecule for the controlled drug release at the lesion site has been produced. Efficacy of the drug delivery system based on the electrospun polymer have been tested by the IRET lab on different cell types involved in ulcers response.

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