SE3D Researcher Spotlight: Dr. Luciano Paulino Silva

Dr. Luciano Paulino Silva is a senior researcher at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). He has 18 years of experience in scientific research and development and has published 130 scientific papers in the field of bioprospecting, nanobiotechnology, and beyond. Dr. Silva is also an alumni (affiliated) member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, editorial board member and reviewer of multiple scientific journals,  consultant for Brazilian governmental agencies and a full professor of Nanoscience and Nanobiotechnology, as well as Molecular Biology at the Institute of Biological Sciences of the University of Brasilia.

Maya: Dr. Silva, please tell us about the research work at your laboratory.
Silva: The Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology - LNANO at Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (Brasilia, DF, Brazil) focuses on research that utilizes nanotechnology to support or enhance biological systems. These projects include the characterization of biological structures at the nanoscale, the development of nanosystems for targeted delivery and controlled release, and the development of functional surfaces for applications in food packaging, bioremediation, nanobiosensors, nanocatalysts, etc. In the realm of additive manufacturing, we have also used a variety of techniques to 3D print biological scaffolds, reactionware, and labware for use in the lab.

Maya: That is really fascinating. Can you tell us a bit more about your work in bioprinting?
Silva: We have many biofabrication projects which utilizes bioprinting techniques in various ways. In utilizing these techniques, we need to develop and select nanomaterials, biomaterials, and cells suitable for biofabrication. We also need to construct CAD (computer aided design) models to print with and using the bioprinting process to lay down cells and/or materials. In order to achieve the end result of the biological model, we need to promote maturation of biomimetic under conditions suitable for maintaining viability and stimulating the proliferation capacity of entrapped cells in the scaffolds. Finally, we need to test for the biological activity, functionality, and other characteristics necessary for validating the biomimetic that is developed from the biochemical, morphological, and physiological viewpoints.

Maya: What is the greatest challenge you face with this technology?
Silva: Some of scientific challenges we face are the development of new biofabrication materials that are more biocompatible and the selection of growth media and maturing agents that allow the maintenance of biomimetic in medium and long term periods. On the hardware side of things, the development of new devices that integrate several biofabrication techniques into a single system can be challenging. Other challenges are regulations that are not yet clearly established by competent agencies and budget constraints that deprive us of the possibility of effective access to the most current technologies. The final issue is establishing truly effective partnerships and collaborations among scientists and engineers in the field to share and discuss more aspects related to the development of customized bio-inks, maturogens, hardware, and software more appropriate to the real demands in research.

Maya: Why is bioprinting technology so exciting to you?
Silva: Bioprinting technologies have a high potential of revolutionizing several frontiers, ranging from bioengineering to the screening of bioactive substances. The properties of numerous nanomaterials and biomaterials allow them to be used as essential building blocks for numerous 3D bioprinted objects with the possibility of conferring unique characteristics not possible with the use of other available materials. Additionally, digital manufacturing offers a plethora of new possibilities ranging from the manufacture of biological models in macroscale to the development of functional structures with specific characteristics that meet scientific demands. On the educational aspect, bioprinting technology promotes activities related to teaching of biomaterials and nanosciences that creates a playful and tangible experience for students. Not to mention the unique approaches involving 3D bioprinting combined with other techniques such as synthetic biology would truly enable us to construct mimetics of biological structures with characteristics that resemble those observed in living organisms. I expect that bioprinting technology will continue to break our scientific paradigms and revolutionize our thinking process.  

Maya: What is your advice for students who want to get into the field?
Silva: My first advice for young scientists and students is to seek their dreams with passion and perseverance. Bioengineering professionals will have to keep in mind that it will be extremely difficult to develop a functional bio-prototype that could be more advanced (or even similar) than the design that nature took millions of years to develop by natural selection. Bioprinting is also only one of many stages of the whole biofabrication process. There will be many mishaps, barriers, and obstacles along the way. A small suggestion from me would be to look for creative and truly innovative ways to make the studies feasible, such as observing the nature around you.

Maya: When do you think organ printing will become a reality?
Silva: I think that organ printing will become a reality when we understand that collaborative efforts are necessary to uncover a unique way to take this area to the next stage and when we as researchers and scientists develop truly innovative and practical approaches instead of fictional and sometimes surreal perspectives. Some of the main technical challenges we still face today are: adequate material choice, speed of execution of bioprinting processes, preservation of the functional viability of the biological structures produced, and the cost related to biofabrication processes.