The Regenerative Technologies Lab is grounded on a strongly interdisciplinary approach and on a cross-fertilization between mechatronics, materials science, biotechnologies and molecular biology, with the aim of developing new therapeutic systems at different scales.
In this framework, artificial and bioartificial bionic organs are targeted, made of mechatronic systems and advanced implantable materials. Biomaterials for regenerative medicine are also pursued, in synergy with the optimization of technologies for physical stimulation of cells and tissues. New flexible and scalable biohybrid machines, integrating living cells and tissues with artificial components, are also explored.
Finally, miniaturized drug delivery systems are pursued, to face cancer and other severe pathologies in a highly targeted way.

For additional information: https://www.regenerativelab.it/

Principal Investigator

Prof. Leonardo Ricotti  - Download Curriculum Vitae 

e-mail: leonardo.ricotti@santannapisa.it


Profiles of the Lab key people

Active projects 

ADMAIORA "ADvanced nanocomposite MAterIals fOr in situ treatment and ultRAsound-mediated management of osteoarthritis" - Call: H2020-NMBP-TR-IND-2018, Research and Innovation action;
ImmUniverse - european project funded by Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI 2), a Joint Undertaking of the European Union and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA);
FORGETDIABETES - programme Future & Emerging Technologies Proactive Horizon 2020 - Grant agreement ID: 951933;
MIO-PRO: a new human-machine interface for the control of prostheses (a collaboration between The BioRobotics Institute and INAIL (National Workers’ Compensation) Prosthetic Center);
REBORN (Remodelling of the infarcted heart: piezoelectric multifunctional patch enabling the sequential release of of therapeutic factors), funded by the European Commission, HORIZON-CL4-2022-RESILIENCE-01-13;
BioMeld (A modular framework for designing and producing biohybrid machines), funded by the European Commission, HORIZON-CL4-2021-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-27.

Recent publications 

2023

• F. Iacoponi, A. Cafarelli, F. Fontana, T. Pratellesi, E. Dumont, I. Barravecchia, D. Angeloni, and L. Ricotti. Optimal low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation for promoting anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages. APL Bioeng. 7: 016114 (2023)
• F. Fontana, F. Iacoponi, F. Orlando, T. Pratellesi, A. Cafarelli, and L. Ricotti. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound increases neurotrophic factors secretion and suppresses inflammation in in vitro models of peripheral neuropathies. J. Neur. Eng. 20: 026033 (2023)

2022

• T. Mazzocchi, D. Guarnera, D. Trucco, F.R. Restaino, L. Vannozzi, A. Siliberto, G. Lisignoli, S. Zaffagnini, A. Russo, and L. Ricotti. A novel approach for multiple material extrusion in arthroscopic knee surgery. Ann. Biomed. Eng. doi: 10.1007/s10439-022-03061-5 (2022)
• A. Vizzoca, G. Lucarini, E. Tognoni, S. Tognarelli, L. Ricotti, L. Gherardini, G. Pelosi, M. Pellegrino, A. Menciassi, S. Grimaldi, and C. Cinti. Erythro–magneto–HA–virosome: a bio-inspired drug delivery system for active targeting of drugs in the lungs. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23(17): 9893 (2022)
• C. Paci, F. Iberite, L. Arrico, L. Vannozzi, P. Parlanti, M. Gemmi, and L. Ricotti. Piezoelectric nanocomposite bioink and ultrasound stimulation modulate early skeletal myogenesis. Biomater. Sci. doi: 10.1039/D1BM01853A (2022)
• L. Vannozzi, A. Lucantonio, A. Castillo, A. De Simone, and L. Ricotti. Modeling self-rollable elastomeric films for building bioinspired hierarchical 3D structures. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23(15): 8467 (2022)
• D. Trucco, L. Riacci, L. Vannozzi, C. Manferdini, L. Arrico, E. Gabusi, G. Lisignoli, and L. Ricotti. Primers for the adhesion of gellan gum-based hydrogels to the cartilage: a comparative study. Macromol. Biosci. Doi: 10.1002/mabi.202200096 (2022)
• C. Manferdini, D. Trucco, Y. Saleh, E. Gabusi, P. Dolzani, E. Lenzi, L. Vannozzi, L. Ricotti, and G. Lisignoli. RGD-functionalized hydrogel supports the chondrogenic commitment of adipose mesenchymal stromal cells. Gels. 8(6): 382 (2022)
• F. Iberite, E. Gruppioni, and L. Ricotti. Skeletal muscle differentiation of human iPSCs meets bioengineering strategies: perspectives and challenges. npj Regenerative Medicine. 7: 23
• T. Mazzocchi, G. Lucarini, I. Roehrer, A. Menciassi, and L. Ricotti. PDMS and DLC‐coated unidirectional valves for artificial urinary sphincters: Opening performance after 126 days of immersion in urine. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. B: App. Biomater. 110: 817-827 (2022)
• M. Piazzoni, E. Piccoli, L. Migliorini, E. Milana, F. Iberite, L. Vannozzi, L. Ricotti, I. Gerges, P. Milani, C. Marano, C. Lenardi and T. Santaniello. Monolithic three-dimensional functionally graded hydrogels for bioinspired soft robots fabrication. Soft Rob. 9(2): 224-232 (2022)

2021

• A. Cafarelli, A. Marino, L. Vannozzi, J. Puigmartí-Luis, S. Pané, G. Ciofani, and L. Ricotti. Piezoelectric nanomaterials activated by ultrasound: the pathway from discovery to future clinical adoption. ACS Nano. 15(7): 11066–11086 (2021);
• V. Iacovacci, I. Tamadon, E.F. Kauffmann, S. Pane, V. Simoni, L. Marziale, M. Aragona, L. Cobuccio, M. Chiarugi, P. Dario, S. Del Prato, L. Ricotti, F. Vistoli and A. Menciassi. A fully implantable device for intraperitoneal drug delivery refilled by ingestible capsules. Science Robotics. 6(57): eabh3328 (2021);
• L. Vannozzi, E. Catalano, M. Telkhozhayeva, E. Teblum, A. Yarmolenko, E.S. Avraham, R. Konar, G.D. Nessim, and L. Ricotti. Graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide nanoflakes coated with glycol chitosan, propylene glycol alginate, and polydopamine: characterization and cytotoxicity in human chondrocytes. Nanomaterials. 11(8), 2105 (2021);
• F. Fontana, F. Iberite, A. Cafarelli, A. Aliperta, G. Baldi, E. Gabusi, P. Dolzani, S. Cristino, G. Lisignoli, T. Pratellesi, E. Dumont, and L. Ricotti. Development and validation of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound systems for highly controlled in vitro cell stimulation. Ultrasonics. 116: 106495 (2021);
• D. Trucco, A. Sharma, C. Manferdini, E. Gabusi, M. Petretta, G. Desando, L. Ricotti, J. Chakraborty, S. Ghosh, and G. Lisignoli. Modeling and fabrication of silk fibroin–gelatin-based constructs using extrusion-based three-dimensional bioprinting. ACS Applied Biomaterials Science & Engineering. Doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00410 (2021);
• L. Ricotti, T. Fujie, and E.T. Roche. Bionic 0rgans and tissues. IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics. 3(2): 295-296 (2021);
• A. Mazzeo, V. Iacovacci, L. Riacci, D. Trucco, G. Lisignoli, F. Vistoli, and L. Ricotti. 3D printed perfusable renal proximal tubule model with different extracellular matrix compositions. IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics. 3(2): 328-336 (2021);
• M. Piazzoni, E. Piccoli, L. Migliorini, E. Milana, F. Iberite, L. Vannozzi, L. Ricotti, I. Gerges, P. Milani, C. Marano, C. Lenardi, and T. Santaniello. Monolithic three-dimensional functionally graded hydrogels for bioinspired soft robots fabrication. Soft Robotics. Doi: 10.1089/soro.2020.0137 (2021);
• D. Trucco, L. Vannozzi, E. Teblum, M. Telkhozhayeva, G.D. Nessim, S. Affatato, H. Al-Haddad, G. Lisignoli, L. Ricotti, Graphene oxide-doped gellan gum–PEGDA bilayered hydrogel mimicking the mechanical and lubrication properties of articular cartilage. Adv. Health. Mater. Doi: 10.1002/adhm.202001434 (2021);
• V. Iacovacci, I. Naselli, A.R. Salgarella, F. Clemente, L. Ricotti, C. Cipriani, Stability and in vivo safety of gold, titanium nitride and parylene C coatings on NdFeB magnets implanted in muscles towards a new generation of myokinetic prosthetic limbs. RSC Adv. 11: 6766 (2021);
• A. Sorriento, A. Poliziani, A. Cafarelli, G. Valenza, L. Ricotti, A novel quantitative and reference-free ultrasound analysis to discriminate different concentrations of bone mineral content. Sci. Rep. 11: 301 (2021);
• J.O. Alcaide, Y. Huan, N. Gabrieli, A. Firrincieli, L. Ricotti, P. Dario G. Ciuti, Tether-colon interaction model and tribological characterization for front-wheel driven colonoscopic devices. Tribology Int. 156: 106814 (2021);
• S. Affatato, D. Trucco, P. Taddei, L. Vannozzi, L. Ricotti, G.D. Nessim, G. Lisignoli, Wear behavior characterization of hydrogels constructs for cartilage tissue replacement. Materials. 14(2): 428 (2021);

2020

• L. Vannozzi, T. Mazzocchi, A. Hasebe, S. Takeoka, T. Fujie, L. Ricotti, A coupled FEM-SPH modeling technique to investigate the contractility of biohybrid thin films, Adv. Biosys. Doi: 10.1002/adbi.201900306 (2020);
• L. Vannozzi, P.J. Gouveia, P. Pingue, C. Canale, L. Ricotti, Novel ultra-thin films based on a blend of PEG-b-PCL and PLLA and doped with ZnO nanoparticles, ACS Appl. Mater. Interf. Doi: 10.1021/acsami.0c00154 (2020) [I.F. 2019: 8.758;]; LEGGI LA NEWS
• S. Ciancia, A. Cafarelli, A. Zahoranova, A. Menciassi, L. Ricotti, Pulsatile drug delivery system triggered by acoustic radiation force. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol, Doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00317 (2020) [I.F. 2019: 3.644];
• M. Ibrahimi, L. Paternò, L. Ricotti, A. Menciassi, A layer jamming actuator for tunable stiffnessand shape-changing devices, Soft Rob. Doi: 10.1089/soro.2019.018 (2020) [I.F. 2019: 5.543];
• G. Lucarini, A. Vizzoca, C. Cinti, L. Ricotti, A. Menciassi, Design of an innovative platform for the treatment of cerebral tumors by means of erythro-magneto-HA-virosomes, Biomed. Phys. Eng. Expr. Doi: 10.1088/2057-1976/ab89f1 (2020);
• L. Marziale, G. Lucarini, T. Mazzocchi, L. Ricotti, A. Menciassi, Comparative analysis of occlusion methods for artificial sphincters, Artif. Org. Doi: 10.1111/aor.13684 (2020) [I.F. 2019: 2.259];
• F. Dedola, F.P. Ulloa Severino, N. Meneghetti, T. Lemaire, A. Cafarelli, L. Ricotti, A. Menciassi, A. Cutrone, A. Mazzoni, S. Micera, Ultrasound stimulations induce prolonged depolarization and fast action potentials in leech neurons, IEEE Open J. Eng. Med. Biol. 1: 23-32 (2020);
• F. Iberite, I. Gerges, L. Vannozzi, A. Marino, M. Piazzoni, T. Santaniello, C. Lenardi, L. Ricotti, Combined effects of electrical stimulation and protein coatings on myotube formation in a soft porous scaffold, Ann. Biomed. Eng. 48(2): 734-746 (2020) [I.F. 2019: 3.324];

2019

• V. Iacovacci, A. Blanc, H. Huang, L. Ricotti, R. Schibli, A. Menciassi, M. Behe, S. Pané,  B.J. Nelson, High‐resolution SPECT imaging of stimuli‐responsive soft microrobots, Small. Doi: 10.1002/smll.201900709 (2019) [I.F. 2019: 11.459]. LEGGI LA NEWS
• S. Rosa, C. Praça, P.R. Pitrez, P.J. Gouveia, X.L. Aranguren, L. Ricotti, L.S. Ferreira, Functional characterization of iPSC-derived arterial-and venous-like endothelial cells, Scientific Reports. 9(1): 3826 (2019);
• A. Cafarelli, P. Losi, A. R. Salgarella, M. C. Barsotti, I. B. Di Cioccio, I. Foffa, L. Vannozzi, P. Pingue, G. Soldani, L. Ricotti, Small-caliber vascular grafts based on a piezoelectric nanocomposite elastomer: Mechanical properties and biocompatibility, Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials. (2019);
• S. Ugolini, T. Mazzocchi, M. Ghionzoli, F. Facchini, L. Ricotti, G. Ciuti, A. Menciassi, A. Messineo, Sensorized orthosis for non-operative treatment of Pectus Carinatum in pediatric patients, IEEE Trans. Med. Rob. Bion. 1(2): 115 (2019);
• A. Hasebe, Y. Suematsu, S. Takeoka, T. Mazzocchi, L. Vannozzi, L. Ricotti, T. Fujie, Biohybrid Actuators Based on Skeletal Muscle-Powered Microgrooved Ultra-Thin Films Consisting of Poly (styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene), ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. (2019);

2018

• A. Cardona, V. Iacovacci, T. Mazzocchi, A. Menciassi, L. Ricotti, Novel Nanostructured Coating on PDMS Substrates Featuring High Resistance to Urine, ACS Applied Bio Materials. (2018);  
• V. Iacovacci, L. Ricotti, E. Sinibaldi, G. Signore, F. Vistoli, A. Menciassi, Intravascular magnetic catheter enables the retrieval of nanoagents from the bloodstream, Advanced Science. Doi: 10.1002/advs.201800807 (2018); LEGGI LA NEWS;
• A.R. Salgarella, A. Zahoranová , P. Šrámková , M. Majerčíková , E. Pavlova , R. Luxenhofer , J. Kronek , I. Lacik, L. Ricotti, Investigation of drug release modulation from poly(2-oxazoline) micelles through ultrasound, Sci. Rep. 8: 9893 (2018);
• D. Trelova, A.R. Salgarella, L. Ricotti, G. Giudetti, A. Cutrone, P. Sramkova, A. Zahoranova, D. Chorvat, D. Hasko, C. Canale, S. Micera, J. Kronek, A. Menciassi, I. Lacik, Soft hydrogel zwitterionic coatings minimize fibroblast and macrophage adhesion on polyimide substrates, Langmuir. Doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b00765 (2018);
• R. Grifantini, M. Taranta, L. Gherardini, I. Naldi, M. Parri, A. Grandi, A. Giannetti, S. Tombelli, G. Lucarini, L. Ricotti, S. Campagnoli, E. De Camilli, G. Pelosi, F. Baldini, A. Menciassi, G. Viale, P. Pileri, C. Cinti, Magnetically driven drug delivery systems improving targeted immunotherapy for colon-rectal cancer, J Contr Rel. Doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.04.052 (2018);
• L. Marziale, G. Lucarini, T. Mazzocchi, E. Gruppioni, S. Castellano, A. Davalli, R. Sacchetti, D. Pistolesi, L. Ricotti, A. Menciassi, Artificial sphincters to manage urinary incontinence: a review, Artif Org. Doi: 10.1111/aor.13164 (2018);
• L. Vannozzi, V. Iacovacci, A. Menciassi, L. Ricotti, Nanocomposite thin films for triggerable drug delivery, Exp Opin Drug Deliv. Doi: 10.1080/17425247.2018.1451512 (2018);
• L. Vannozzi, I.C. Yasa, H. Ceylan, A. Menciassi, L. Ricotti, M. Sitti, Self-folded hydrogel tubes for implantable muscular tissue scaffolds, Macromol Biosci. Doi: 10.1002/mabi.201700377 (2018);
• L. Paternò, M. Ibrahimi, E. Gruppioni, A. Menciassi, L. Ricotti, Sockets for limb prostheses: a review of existing technologies and open challenges, IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. Doi: 10.1109/TBME.2017.2775100 (2018);
• G. Lucarini, V. Iacovacci, P.J. Gouveia, L. Ricotti, A. Menciassi, Design of a novel magnetic platform for cell manipulation, J Micromech Microeng. 28: 025009 (2018);

2017

• L. Ricotti, B. Trimmer, A. W. Feinberg, R. Raman, K. K. Parker, R. Bashir, M. Sitti, S. Martel, P. Dario, A. Menciassi, Bio-hybrid actuators for robotics: a review of devices actuated by living cells, Science Robotics. 2(12): eaaq0495 (2017);
• L. Vannozzi, L. Ricotti, T. Santaniello, T. Terencio, R. Oropesa-Nunez, C. Canale, F. Borghi, A. Menciassi, C. Lenardi, I. Gerges, 3D porous polyurethanes featured by different mechanical properties: characterization and interaction with skeletal muscle cells, J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 75: 147-159; 2017;
• P.J. Gouveia, S. Rosa, L. Ricotti, B. Abecasis, H.V. Almeida, L. Monteiro, J. Nunes, F. Sofia Carvalho, M. Serra, S. Luchkin, A. Leonidovitch Kholkin, P. Marques Alves, P. Jorge Oliveira, R. Carvalho, A. Menciassi, R. Pires Neves, L. Silva Ferreira, Flexible nanofilms coated with aligned piezoelectric microfibers preserve the contractility of cardiomyocytes, Biomaterials. Doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.05.048; 2017;
• A. Salgarella, A. Cafarelli, L. Ricotti, L. Capineri, P. Dario, A. Menciassi, Optimal ultrasound exposure conditions for maximizing C2C12 muscle cell proliferation and differentiation, Ultrasound Med Biol. 43: 1452-1465; 2017 [I.F. 2017: 2.645];
• L. Morelli, M.A. Cappelluti, L. Ricotti, C. Lenardi, I. Gerges, An injectable system for local and sustained release of antimicrobial agents in the periodontal pocket, Macromol Biosci. Doi: 10.1002/mabi.201700103; 2017;
• L. Ricotti, T. Fujie, Thin polymeric films for building biohybrid microrobots, Bioinsp. Biomim. 12(2): 021001; 2017;
• A. Cafarelli, A. Verbeni, A. Poliziani, P. Dario, A. Menciassi, L. Ricotti, Tuning acoustic and mechanical properties of materials for ultrasound phantoms and smart substrates for cell cultures, Acta  49: 368-378; 2017;
• T. Mazzocchi, L. Ricotti, N. Pinzi, A. Menciassi, Magnetically controlled endourethral artificial urinary sphincter, Annals of Biomedical Engineering. Ann. Biomed. Eng. 45: 1181-1193; 2017;