Areas of focus

The study of the interactions of cells with nanomaterials – antibacterial activity testing and analyses of cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of various materials is carried out using biological agents of the 1st and 2nd groups. Currently tested cell scaffold is electroactive and offers the possibility of electrical stimulation of cells, which is desirable in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to its beneficial effect on cell differentiation, orientation and regeneration. That is why we collaborate with colleagues from the Department of Nonwovens and Nanofibrous Materials (KNT)  to design and fabricate a platform into which the scaffold will be placed and provide the possibility of electrical stimulation of cells.

In cooperation with the Liberec Regional Hospital, we are investigating the role of regulatory miRNAs in the development of glial cell tumors in the brain. The use of specific miRNAs as target molecules for therapy or for diagnostic purposes seems to be an interesting approach to complement and streamline existing methodologies. We use bio-nanoparticles as carriers of nucleic acids, which have unique properties and a wide range of applications. They are still insufficiently researched for human application, so we are studying their safety and interactions with human tissues.

In cooperation with the Faculty of Textiles, we are investigating the effectiveness of biodegradation of textile fibers - both raw and waste. Biodegradation is mediated by the mycelium of fungi of the genera Pleurotus, Schisophyllum and Omphalatus. The degraded textile is transformed by the sponge into a composite, which has a number of other uses, e.g. for the production of furniture.

Cells:

• human cell lines – human fibroblasts, osteoblasts, keratinocytes, neuronal cells, mesenchymal stem cells,      monocytes/macrophages,…
• bacterial strains – commensal and selected potentially pathogenic strains (Biohazard Group 2); for example, coagulase-negative staphylococci, micrococci, pseudomonads and enterobacteria - cultures in co-cultivations
• Co-culturing of human cells and microbial cells or microbial consortia

Co-cultivation:

We currently study the modern concept of cytotoxicity testing of materials using co-cultivation of mammalian cell lines with bacterial cells, such as coagulase-negative staphylococci, micrococci, pseudomonads and enterobacteria. We try to mimic with the in vitro testing models the actual in vivo conditions.

In vitro characterization of materials:

Metal-based materials find their application mainly in the field of bone substitutes, and therefore we use a bone cell line (SAOS-2) for analyses. On the other hand, we test polymers capable of biodegradation, which are suitable for skin or nerve tissue regeneration, using skin and nerve cell lines (HaCAT, SH-SY5Y). Examples of nanomaterials that we tested are PCL (polycaprolactone) scaffolds with incorporated graphene nanoparticles, Sol-gel surface treatment with carbon nanoparticles, titanium scaffolds (Ti6Al4V) with DLC surface treatment and incorporated silicon and silver).

Materials used:

• PCL (polycaprolactone) scaffolds with incorporated graphene nanoparticles
• Materials with carbon nanoparticles sol-gel surface treatment
• Titanium carriers (Ti6Al4V) with incorporated silicon and silver and DLC surface treatment

Methods used:

1. In vitro testing and verification (e.g. antibacterial) properties of various types of (nano)materials in interaction with biological agents
2. testing of adhesion, proliferation, cell death (apoptosis/necrosis) and cell differentiation using molecular, biological and biochemical methods (fluorescence labeling followed by microscopy and flow cytometry, image analysis)
3. determination of gene expression of selected markers using quantitative PCR;
4. co-culturing of microbial strains with eukaryotic cells - detailed characterization of cell growth and analysis of pathogen inhibition on in vitro material imitating real in vivo conditions
5. optimization of existing methodology and introduction of new protocols for cell cultivation
6. testing the effectiveness of chemical and physical disinfection