About the research:
The project aims to establish a bone-on-a-chip system to investigate bone regeneration events in vitro and in real time, overcoming methodological limitations associated with animal models. To achieve this, we will leverage insights generated through single-cell and spatial transcriptomics (scRNA-seq) in a murine fracture model to decipher how macrophages regulate the activity of skeletal stem and progenitor cells (SSPCs) during bone regeneration in young versus aged individuals. These findings will guide the development of bioprinted osteochondrogenic tissues integrated with microfluidic platforms that mimic the conditions of the early fracture callus, creating a high-fidelity research and screening platform. Ultimately, this approach has the potential to advance the development of innovative therapies aimed at accelerating orthopedic recovery in both young and elderly populations.
Awards and honors:
🏆 Young Scientist of Our State Award, FAPERJ (2021 and 2025)
🏆 Maria Emília Foundation Grantee (2023)
Selected publications:
ALMEIDA, P. P. ; DIAS, R. B. ; LEICHTWEIS, K. S. ; FRADE, B. B. ; GEMINI-PIPERNI, S. ; Bonfim, Danielle C. . Macrophage-centered bone regeneration: A review of in vivo efficacy across tailored, hybrid, and 3D-printed biomaterial platforms. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOPRINTING (PRINT), v. 026050, p. 026050033, 2026. doi.org/10.36922/IJB026050033
ALMEIDA, P. P. ; Bonfim, Danielle Cabral . Trends in Fracture-Related Hospitalizations and Mortality in Brazil, 2015?2024. Epidemiologia, v. 7, p. 63-78, 2026. doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia7030063
FRADE, B. B. ; DIAS, R. B. ; GEMINI-PIPERNI, S. ; BONFIM, D. C. . The role of macrophages in fracture healing: a narrative review of the recent updates and therapeutic perspectives. Stem Cell Investigation, v. 10, p. 4-4, 2023. doi.org/10.21037/sci-2022-038
DIAS, R. B. ; GUIMARAES, J. M. ; FERNANDES, M. B. C. ; ROCHA, L. R. ; COSTA, E. S. ; NOGUEIRA, L. P. ; MENDEZ, C. H. ; COSTA, A. F. ; CUNHA, K. S. ; SOUZA, S. A. L. ; DUARTE, MARIA EUGENIA LEITE ; SARTORE, R. ; BONFIM, D. C. . The Manufacture of GMP-Grade Bone Marrow Stromal Cells with Validated In Vivo Bone-Forming Potential in an Orthopedic Clinical Center in Brazil. Stem Cells International, v. 2019, p. 1-17, 2019. doi.org/10.1155/2019/2608482
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) BONFIM, D. C.; DIAS, R. B. ; COSTA, A. F. ; CHICAYBAM, L. ; LOPES, D. V. ; DUTRA, H. S. ; Borojevic, R ; BONAMINO, M. ; MERMELSTEIN, C. S ; Rossi, M.I.D . PS1/ -Secretase-Mediated Cadherin Cleavage Induces -Catenin Nuclear Translocation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells. Stem Cells International, v. 2016, p. 1-14, 2016. doi.org/10.1155/2016/3865315
