The Healing Power of Nanoparticles: Bioengineering Gelatin Films with Lignin-graft-PLGA Nanoparticles for Enhanced Tissue Repair

Authors

• Marie Howe, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeFollow
• Cristina Sabliov, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeFollow
• Thanida Chuacharoen, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeFollow
• Willyam Nikiema, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeFollow

Document Type

Professional Conference

Semester of Graduation

Spring 2026

Abstract

Fish gelatin, a biocompatible material, can be methacrylated to enable its photo-crosslinking and formation of hydrogels for tissue-repair applications (1). This study investigated the incorporation of lignin-grafted PLGA nanoparticles (LNPs) into 3D-printed fGelMA hydrogels as controlled drug delivery systems. Lignin has UV absorbing properties, which could potentially interfere with photocrosslinking of fGelMA (2). These LNPs possess hydrophobic PLGA core and hydrophilic lignin forming the shell providing ample opportunities for delivery of drugs of different chemistries (3). Fluorescent LNPs (FLNPs) were engineered by covalently bonding a fluorophore to the shell prior to nanoparticle synthesis to allow for fluorophore tracking. The understanding of the gel physical and morphological properties and release of the covalently bonded fluorophore can inform development of drug loaded nanoparticle embedded in gels for tissue repair applications.

Recommended Citation

Howe, M., Sabliov, C., Chuacharoen, T., & Nikiema, W. (2026). The Healing Power of Nanoparticles: Bioengineering Gelatin Films with Lignin-graft-PLGA Nanoparticles for Enhanced Tissue Repair. Retrieved from https://repository.lsu.edu/discover_dur/25

Awardee Name

Marie Howe

Academic Major

Biological Engineering

Project Mentor

Cristina Sabliov