%0 Journal Article %J Bioinspiration & Biomimetics %D 2016 %T A bioreactor with an electro-responsive elastomeric membrane for mimicking intestinal peristalsis %A D. Cei %A J. Costa %A G. Gori %A G. Frediani %A C. Domenici %A F. Carpi %A A. Ahluwalia %X

This study describes an actuated bioreactor which mimics the pulsatile contractile motion of the intestinal barrier using electro-responsive elastomers as smart materials that undergo deformation upon electrical stimulation. The device consists of an annular dielectric elastomer actuator working as a radial artificial muscle able to rhythmically contract and relax a central cell culture well. The bioreactor maintained up to 4 h of actuation at a frequency of 0.15 Hz and a strain of 8%–10%, to those of the cyclic contraction and relaxation of the small intestine. In vitro tests demonstrated that the device was biocompatible and cell-adhesive for Caco-2 cells, which formed a confluent monolayer following 21 days of culture in the central well. In addition, cellular adhesion and cohesion were maintained after 4 h of continuous cyclic strain. These preliminary results encourage further investigations on the use of dielectric elastomer actuation as a versatile technology that might overcome the limitations of commercially available pneumatic driving systems to obtain bioreactors that can cyclically deform cell cultures in a biomimetic fashion.

%B Bioinspiration & Biomimetics %V 12 %G eng %U http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-3190/12/1/016001/pdf %N 1 %0 Journal Article %J Biotechnology journal %D 2014 %T A novel dual-flow bioreactor simulates increased fluorescein permeability in epithelial tissue barriers %A S. Giusti %A Sbrana, T. %A La Marca, M %A V. Di Patria %A V. Martinucci %A Tirella, A %A C. Domenici %A A. Ahluwalia %K Bioengineering %X

Permeability studies across epithelial barriers are of primary importance in drug delivery as well as in toxicology. However, traditional in vitro models do not adequately mimic the dynamic environment of physiological barriers. Here, we describe a novel two-chamber modular bioreactor for dynamic in vitro studies of epithelial cells. The fluid dynamic environment of the bioreactor was characterized using computational fluid dynamic models and measurements of pressure gradients for different combinations of flow rates in the apical and basal chambers. Cell culture experiments were then performed with fully differentiated Caco-2 cells as a model of the intestinal epithelium, comparing the effect of media flow applied in the bioreactor with traditional static transwells. The flow increases barrier integrity and tight junction expression of Caco-2 cells with respect to the static controls. Fluorescein permeability increased threefold in the dynamic system, indicating that the stimulus induced by flow increases transport across the barrier, closely mimicking the in vivo situation. The results are of interest for studying the influence of mechanical stimuli on cells, and underline the importance of developing more physiologically relevant in vitro tissue models. The bioreactor can be used to study drug delivery, chemical, or nanomaterial toxicity and to engineer barrier tissues.

%B Biotechnology journal %G eng %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24756869 %R 10.1002/biot.201400004 %0 Journal Article %J Nanotoxicology %D 2013 %T In vitro toxicological screening of nanoparticles on primary human endothelial cells and the role of flow in modulating cell response %A Ucciferri, N %A Collnot, E. M. %A Gaiser, B. %A Tirella, A %A Stone, V. %A C. Domenici %A Lehr, C.-M. %A A. Ahluwalia %K Bioengineering %X

Abstract After passage through biological barriers, nanomaterials inevitably end up in contact with the vascular endothelium and physiological flow, and can induce cardiovascular damage. In this study the toxicity and sublethal effects of 6 nanoparticles, including 4 of industrial and biomedical importance, on human endothelial cells was investigated using different in vitro assays. The results show that all the particles investigated induce some level of damage to the cells and that silver particles were most toxic, followed by titanium dioxide. Furthermore endothelial cells were shown to be more susceptible when exposed to silver nanoparticles under flow conditions in a bioreactor. The study underlines that although simple in vitro tests are useful to screen compounds and to identify the type of effect induced on cells, they may not be sufficient to define safe exposure limits. Therefore, once initial toxicity screening has been conducted on nanomaterials, it is necessary to develop more physiologically relevant in vitro models to better understand how nanomaterials can impact on human health.

%B Nanotoxicology %G eng %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23909703 %R 10.3109/17435390.2013.831500 %0 Journal Article %J Biomatter %D 2012 %T Realization of a poro-elastic ultrasound replica of pulmonary tissue %A Spinelli, A %A Vinci, B. %A Tirella, A %A Matteucci, M %A Gargani, L %A A. Ahluwalia %A C. Domenici %A Picano, E %A Chiarelli, P %K Bioengineering %B Biomatter %V 2 %P 27–26 %G eng %U http://www.landesbioscience.com/journals/biomatter/article/19835/ %0 Journal Article %J BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS %D 2011 %T Sensing scaffolds to monitor cellular activity using impedance measurements %A Whulanza, Y %A Ucciferri, N %A C. Domenici %A G. Vozzi %A A. Ahluwalia %K Bioengineering %B BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Biotechnol J %D 2010 %T In vitro liver model using microfabricated scaffolds in a modular bioreactor. %A Vinci, B. %A Cavallone, D. %A G. Vozzi %A D. Mazzei %A C. Domenici %A Brunetto, M. %A A. Ahluwalia %K Bioengineering %X

Hepatocyte function on 3-D microfabricated polymer scaffolds realised with the pressure-activated microsyringe was tested under static and dynamic conditions. The dynamic cell culture was obtained using the multicompartment modular bioreactor system. Hepatocyte cell density, glucose consumption, and albumin secretion rate were measured daily over a week. Cells seeded on scaffolds showed an increase in cell density compared with monolayer controls. Moreover, in dynamic culture, cell metabolic function increased three times in comparison with static monolayer cultures. These results suggest that cell density and cell-cell interactions are mediated by the architecture of the substrate, while the endogenous biochemical functions are regulated by a sustainable supply of nutrients and interstitial-like flow. Thus, a combination of 3-D scaffolds and dynamic flow conditions are both important for the development of a hepatic tissue model for applications in drug testing and regenerative medicine.

%B Biotechnol J %V 5 %P 232–241 %8 Feb %G eng %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/biot.200900074 %0 Conference Paper %B Congresso Nazionale di Bioingegneria 2010 %D 2010 %T Sensorised "Smart" Scaffold to Monitor Cell Processes Based on Impedance Characteristics %A Whulanza, Y %A Ucciferri, N %A G. Vozzi %A A. Ahluwalia %A C. Domenici %K Bioengineering %B Congresso Nazionale di Bioingegneria 2010 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J BIOMEDICAL MICRODEVICES %D 2009 %T Melt-extruded guides for peripheral nerve regeneration. Part I: Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) %A V. Chiono %A G. Vozzi %A Vozzi, F. %A C. Salvadori %A F. Dini %A F. Carlucci %A ARISPICI, M %A S. Burchielli %A DI SCIPIO, F %A GEUNA, S %A FORNARO, M %A TOS, P %A Nicolino, S %A Audisio, C %A Perroteau, I %A CHIARAVALLOTI, A %A C. Domenici %A P. Giusti %A G. Ciardelli %K Bioengineering %B BIOMEDICAL MICRODEVICES %P 1037-1050 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH. PART A %D 2008 %T Chitosan/gelatin blends for biomedical applications %A PULIERI, E %A V. Chiono %A G. Ciardelli %A G. Vozzi %A A. Ahluwalia %A C. Domenici %A Vozzi, F. %A P. Giusti %K Bioengineering %B JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH. PART A %V 86 %P 311–322 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J TISSUE ENGINEERING, PART A %D 2008 %T Optimization of PAM Scaffolds for Neural Tissue Engineering: Preliminary Study on an SH-SY5Y Cell Line %A KULLENBERG, J %A ROSATINI, F %A G. Vozzi %A BIANCHI, F %A A. Ahluwalia %A C. Domenici %K Bioengineering %B TISSUE ENGINEERING, PART A %G eng %0 Journal Article %J JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH. PART A %D 2008 %T Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) blends for tissue engineering applications in the form of hollow fibers %A V. Chiono %A G. Ciardelli %A G. Vozzi %A SOTGIU, MG %A Vinci, B. %A C. Domenici %A P. Giusti %K Bioengineering %B JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH. 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Basser %K Bioengineering %B SENSORS AND ACTUATORS %V 17 %P 107–114 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING %D 1988 %T Artificial sensing skin mimicking mechanoelectrical conversion properties of human dermis %A D. De Rossi %A A. Nannini %A C. Domenici %K Bioengineering %B IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING %V 35 %P 83–92 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J MATERIALS SCIENCE %D 1987 %T A Biomimetic tactile array with stress-component-selective sensing capabilities %A D. De Rossi %A C. Domenici %A A. Nannini %A R. Francesconi %K Bioengineering %B MATERIALS SCIENCE %V 13 %P 47–50 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR ELECTRONICS %D 1987 %T Biomimetic tactile sensor with stress-component-discrimination capability %A D. De Rossi %A A. Nannini %A C. Domenici %K Bioengineering %B JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR ELECTRONICS %V 3 %P 173–181 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J FERROELECTRICS %D 1987 %T Measurement of the hydrostatic piezoelectric, coefficient using a µP based apparatus %A C. Domenici %A A. Nannini %A D. De Rossi %K Bioengineering %B FERROELECTRICS %V 76 %P 283–290 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J ALTA FREQUENZA %D 1986 %T Approccio bionico allo sviluppo di trasduttori tattili ed attuatori lineari per robotica avanzata %A D. De Rossi %A C. Domenici %A Chiarelli, P %K Bioengineering %B ALTA FREQUENZA %V 55 %P 55–62 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J ASAIO TRANSACTIONS %D 1986 %T Contractile behaviour of electrically activated mechanochemical polymer actuators %A D. De Rossi %A Chiarelli, P %A G. Buzzigoli %A C. Domenici %A L. Lazzeri %K Robotics %B ASAIO TRANSACTIONS %V 32 %P 157–162 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J ORTOPEDIA E TRAUMATOLOGIA OGGI %D 1986 %T Effetti di osteosintesi endomidollari a polimeri piezoelettrico: ricerca sperimentale %A F. Carlucci %A P. Puntoni %A ARISPICI, M %A M. Cecconi %A C. Domenici %A P. Dario %A D. De Rossi %K Bioengineering %B ORTOPEDIA E TRAUMATOLOGIA OGGI %V 4 %P 229–232 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL INSULATION %D 1986 %T Piezoelectric properties of dry human skin %A D. De Rossi %A C. Domenici %A P. Pastacaldi %K Bioengineering %B IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL INSULATION %V EI-21 %P 511–517 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J L'ELETTROTECNICA %D 1984 %T Alcuni fenomeni di traduzione meccanoelettrica in materiali organici di sintesi: proprietà e analogie con meccanismi di origine biologica %A D. De Rossi %A P. Dario %A C. Domenici %A P. Parrini %K Bioengineering %B L'ELETTROTECNICA %V 80 %P 619–631 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J FERROELECTRICS %D 1984 %T Multisensor piezoelectric polymer insole for pedobarography %A A. Pedotti %A R. Assente %A G. Fusi %A D. De Rossi %A P. Dario %A C. Domenici %K Bioengineering %B FERROELECTRICS %V 60 %P 163–174 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J FERROELECTRICS %D 1984 %T Piezoelectric properties and dielectric losses in PVDF-PMMA blends %A C. Domenici %A D. De Rossi %A A. Nannini %A R. Verni %K Bioengineering %B FERROELECTRICS %V 60 %P 61–70 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J ANNALI DELLE FACOLTÃ? DI MEDICINA VETERINARIA %D 1984 %T Prime esperienze sull'impiego di un polimero piezoelettrico (PVF2) nella riparazione di fratture sperimentali nel ratto %A F. Carlucci %A P. Puntoni %A ARISPICI, M %A M. Cecconi %A C. Domenici %A P. Dario %A D. De Rossi %K Bioengineering %B ANNALI DELLE FACOLTÃ? DI MEDICINA VETERINARIA %V 34 %P 47–60 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J TECNICHE DELL'AUTOMAZIONE & ROBOTICA %D 1984 %T Sensori tattili a polimeri ferroelettrici %A P. Dario %A D. De Rossi %A C. Domenici %A P. C. Pinotti %K Bioengineering %B TECNICHE DELL'AUTOMAZIONE & ROBOTICA %V 7-8 %P 25–29 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J RIVISTA ITALIANA DI ACUSTICA %D 1982 %T Trasduttori acustici a polimeri piezoelettrici %A D. De Rossi %A R. Bardelli %A P. Dario %A C. Domenici %A F. Pedrini %K Bioengineering %B RIVISTA ITALIANA DI ACUSTICA %V 4 %P 121–141 %G eng