Evaluating Mushroom-Derived Chitosan for Biocompatibility and Printability in 3D-Printed Medical Implants

Current implantable biomaterials often rely on synthetic or animal-derived polymers, which can be costly, poorly biocompatible, or environmentally unsustainable. There is growing interest in finding plant-based or fungal alternatives that meet the demanding requirements of medical-grade applications. Chinova Bioworks, a Canadian biotechnology company, specializes in producing chitosan from mushrooms for use in preservative applications. The company looks to expand into the medical sector by evaluating the potential for their chitosan as a base material for 3D-manufactured implants. MaterializeBio, a U.S.-based biomedical firm, focuses on developing and testing bio-compatible scaffolds for medical use, their challenge is to find new, safe, and effective biomaterials that can be integrated into their biomanufacturing platforms. This four-month project addresses both partners goals by assessing the physical, chemical, and biological properties of mushroom derived chitosan. The student researcher will conduct a literature review, lab testing (e.g. molecular weight, viscosity, printability), and basic biocompatibility assessments in collaboration with both organizations. This project enables Chinova to explore the medical-grade application of their mushroom-derived chitosan, potentially opening new markets in medical devices. Furthermore, the project provides Materialize Bio with data and insight on a potentially new, bio-compatible material that could be incorporated into their existing or future biomedical platforms.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dion Durnford

Student:

Partner:

Chinova Bioworks;Materialize Bio

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of New Brunswick

Program: