BBLab
Porous bioactive biomaterial scaffold with molecular spectroscopy traces

Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA), Brazil

Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine

BBLab integrates chemistry, biology, and engineering to develop advanced biomaterials and biointerfaces for tissue regeneration and clinical translation.

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3 sub-laboratories
1 LEAM environment
FTIR spectroscopy platform
ITA São José dos Campos

Our Mission

From fundamental materials science to clinical translation.

We are dedicated to advancing the frontiers of biomaterials and biointerfaces through the development of bioactive glasses and innovative biofabrication techniques. Our mission is to bridge the gap between fundamental science and clinical application, focusing on regenerative medicine and tissue engineering to create next-generation solutions for human health and sustainable biotechnology.

Research Areas

Material interfaces designed for biological performance.

We explore the intersection of advanced materials and biological systems to drive innovation in regenerative medicine and biointerfaces.

Bioactive glass microstructure

Bioactive Glasses

Development of ion-releasing biomaterials for bone regeneration and tissue repair.

Material surface under magnification

Surface Characterization

Advanced analysis of material interfaces and surface topography for biocompatibility.

Biofabricated scaffold structure

Biofabrication

Development of polymer-ceramic composites and scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Engineered tissue scaffold

Tissue Engineering

Regenerative medicine and the development of advanced biointerfaces for healing.

Laboratory Platform

An integrated environment for biomaterials development.

BBLab is constituted by three distinct sub-laboratories: the Solid State Chemistry Laboratory (LQES), the Cell Culture Laboratory (LCC), and the Tissue Engineering and Bioprinting Laboratory (LETBip). A fourth environment houses the Multiuser Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy (LEAM).

LQES

Solid State Chemistry Laboratory

Planning and synthesis of bioactive glasses, ceramics, and hybrid biomaterials.

LEAM

Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy Facility

Multiuser characterization environment supporting FTIR and spectroscopy workflows.

LCC

Cell Culture Laboratory

In vitro biological evaluation and cell-material interaction studies.

LETBip

Tissue Engineering and Bioprinting Laboratory

Processing, scaffold fabrication, bioinks, and tissue engineering strategies.

Planning Synthesis Processing Characterization Biological Evaluation

Facilities

Core equipment for synthesis, processing, characterization, and biological evaluation.

BBLab combines chemical synthesis, cell culture, biofabrication, molecular characterization, sample preparation, and infrastructure for continuous operation across its LQES, LCC, LETBip, and LEAM environments.

30

catalogued laboratory assets

Equipment inventory supporting BBLab research routines and multiuser analyses.

4

integrated environments

LQES, LCC, LETBip, and LEAM operate as a connected research platform.

62.5 kVA

Backup power infrastructure

Toyama Diesel TDMG60SE3 generator, three-phase 380 V, for energy maintenance and operational continuity.

Cell Culture and Biological Evaluation

  • CO2 Incubator Thermo Scientific Heracell VIOS 160i

    Controlled cell culture atmosphere and temperature, 37 °C / 5% CO2. Qty: 1

  • Routine Inverted Microscope Olympus CKX53 with digital camera

    In vitro cell-culture analysis and bioprinting follow-up. Qty: 1

  • Biological Safety Cabinet Grupo Veco BIOSEG

    Sterile handling and protection against biological contamination. Qty: 1

  • Scientific / Biological Refrigerator Biotecno, glass-door model

    Controlled storage and conservation of inputs and reagents. Qty: 1

  • Scientific / Medical Freezer (-20 °C) Elber Medical Line

    Storage of reagents, enzymes, antibodies, and PCR kits. Qty: 1

  • Vertical Ultrafreezer (-86 °C) Thermotemp THT.U430L

    Ultra-low-temperature storage of biological samples. Qty: 1

  • Duplex Refrigerator (2 °C to 8 °C) Electrolux

    Refrigerated storage of media and buffers. Qty: 1

  • Refrigerated Microprocessed Centrifuge Kasvi K14-4415R

    Temperature-controlled microvolume centrifugation. Qty: 1

  • Mini Centrifuge / Spin Ionlab

    Rapid spin-down and precipitation of microtubes. Qty: 1

  • Thermo Mixer Digital Heat/Cool

    Orbital shaking with heating and cooling for microplates. Qty: 1

  • UV Chamber SPLabor

    Gel visualization and UV transillumination at 254/365 nm. Qty: 1

Chemistry, Synthesis, and Processing

  • Precision pH Station / Meter Mettler Toledo SevenExcellence with InLab Expert Pro-ISM

    High-precision pH/mV measurements with automatic electrode recognition. Qty: 1

  • Benchtop pH Meter Kasvi

    pH and electrical-potential measurements in solutions. Qty: 1

  • Variable DC Power Supply Jesverty, 0-120 V / 0-3 A

    Regulated benchtop source for electrochemical and electrical assays. Qty: 1

  • Electrophoresis Power Supply Kasvi

    Continuous voltage/current source for electrophoresis tanks. Qty: 1

  • Oil Vacuum Pump Edwards, rotary-vane system

    High-vacuum generation for lyophilization, filtration, or desiccation. Qty: 1

  • Benchtop / Console Freeze Dryer Liobras Liotop K105

    Vacuum sublimation drying of thermosensitive samples. Qty: 1

  • Magnetic Stirrer with Heating IKA C-MAG HS 7

    Stirring and heating of solutions on ceramic plate. Qty: 3

  • Magnetic Stirrer with Heating Fisatom

    Homogenization and heating of reagents on circular plate. Qty: 5

  • 3D Bioprinter Benchtop dual-syringe system

    Tissue engineering and hydrogel bioprinting. Qty: 1

  • Stainless-Steel Benchtop Autoclave SolidSteel

    Steam-pressure sterilization of glassware and media. Qty: 1

  • Benchtop Autoclave VIDA

    Rapid sterilization of small volumes and materials. Qty: 1

  • Drying Oven with Air Circulation SolidSteel 7lab

    Glassware drying and dry sterilization of materials. Qty: 1

  • Water Bath with Openings Stainless-steel benchtop system

    Indirect heating of glassware and solutions. Qty: 1

Molecular Characterization and Sample Preparation

  • FTIR Spectrophotometer Shimadzu IRTracer-100

    Infrared spectroscopy for molecular characterization. Qty: 1

  • Hydraulic Press for KBr Pellets PIKE Technologies CrushIR

    Preparation of solid samples for FTIR analysis. Qty: 1

Environmental Control, Safety, and Monitoring

  • Air Dehumidifier Arsec M160D

    Relative-humidity control in analytical environments. Qty: 1

  • No-break / UPS APC Back-UPS

    Electrical protection and power backup for sensitive instruments. Qty: 1

  • IP Security Camera / Monitoring Intelbras

    Room monitoring and operational/patrimonial security. Qty: 1

  • Digital Thermo-Hygrometer HTC-2

    Temperature and relative-humidity monitoring. Qty: 1

Featured Projects

Focused research initiatives with translational ambition.

Current research initiatives at BBLab focus on the development of advanced biomaterials and biointerfaces for regenerative medicine.

Advanced biomaterial visualization
FAPESP 2022/16643-7

Advanced Bioactive Glasses

Ion-releasing glass systems for tissue integration, repair, and therapeutic response.

FAPESP 2022/03247-6

3D Bioprinting Scaffolds

Architected scaffolds and bioinks for regenerative applications and tissue engineering.

INCT/CNPq 408482/2024-9

Polymer-Ceramic Composites

Hybrid biomaterials designed for performance, stability, and biomedical compatibility.

Team

People advancing BBLab science at ITA.

The BBLab team brings together research leadership, PhD students, MSc students, and alumni working across bioactive glasses, biointerfaces, biofabrication, spectroscopy, and regenerative medicine.

Join our research efforts
João Henrique Lopes
Research Leadership

João Henrique Lopes

Principal Investigator, Research Leader, and Laboratory Coordinator at BBLab. His research focuses on advanced biomaterials and biointerfaces for regenerative medicine, with emphasis on bioactive glasses and biofabrication.

ORCID 0000-0001-6872-0299 Google Scholar

PhD Students

Camila Barboza Moura Chianca
PhD Student

Camila Barboza Moura Chianca

Funding: CAPES

Gabriela Colares Ali Ganem
PhD Student

Gabriela Colares Ali Ganem

Funding: CAPES

Luis Felipe Moreira Oliveira
PhD Student

Luis Felipe Moreira Oliveira

Funding: FAPESP

Paula Cristina Gomes Fernandes
PhD Student

Paula Cristina Gomes Fernandes

Funding: FAPESP

Paulo Ricardo de Carvalho Magalhães
PhD Student

Paulo Ricardo de Carvalho Magalhães

Funding: CNPq

Mariana Rocha de Souza
PhD Student

Mariana Rocha de Souza

Funding: CNPq

MSc Students

Luiza Dávila Marques de Lima
MSc Student

Luiza Dávila Marques de Lima

Funding: CAPES

Rodrigo Rodrigues
MSc Student

Rodrigo Rodrigues

Funding: No scholarship

Giovana Correia de Melo Oliveira
MSc Student

Giovana Correia de Melo Oliveira

Funding: FAPESP

Géorgia Dos Santos Albuquerque
MSc Student

Géorgia Dos Santos Albuquerque

Funding: CNPq

Rebecca Brito
MSc Student

Rebecca Brito

Funding: No scholarship

Undergraduate Research Students

Yasmin Pinheiro Cabral
Undergraduate Research Student

Yasmin Pinheiro Cabral

Funding: PIBIC-CNPq

Ana Clara Mariano Pacheco
Undergraduate Research Student

Ana Clara Mariano Pacheco

Funding: PIBIC-CNPq

Letícia Bastos
Undergraduate Research Student

Letícia Bastos

Funding: FAPESP

Eduarda Alves dos Anjos Silva
Undergraduate Research Student

Eduarda Alves dos Anjos Silva

Funding: PIBIC-CNPq

Alumni

Luis Felipe Moreira Oliveira
MSc Alumni

Luis Felipe Moreira Oliveira

MSc dissertation completed in 2023 at ITA.

Geovana Vilas Bôas Guedes
PhD Co-supervision

Geovana Vilas Bôas Guedes

PhD thesis completed in 2018 at UNIFESP.

Gabriella Francabandiera
Undergraduate Alumni

Gabriella Francabandiera

Final undergraduate project and scientific initiation in biomaterials.

Bianca Marçal Pagan
Undergraduate Alumni

Bianca Marçal Pagan

Scientific initiation projects on mesoporous bioactive glasses.

Vitória Maria Gomes de Moura
Undergraduate Alumni

Vitória Maria Gomes de Moura

Scientific initiation projects in silica systems and smart bioinks.

Guilherme dos Santos Medeiros
Undergraduate Alumni

Guilherme dos Santos Medeiros

Scientific initiation projects in multifunctional biomaterials.

Become a BBLaber

Join a research environment built for curious, rigorous, and collaborative science.

BBLab welcomes students and researchers who want to work at the interface of chemistry, biology, materials science, engineering, and regenerative medicine. Opportunities may be available for undergraduate research, MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral projects, with potential fellowships from FAPESP, CNPq, CAPES, institutional calls, and international collaborative programs depending on eligibility, timing, and project alignment.

Tell us where you are in your academic path, what excites you scientifically, and how you imagine contributing to biomaterials and biointerfaces research. The strongest messages are specific: a research question, a technique you want to learn, a project idea, or a clear motivation to grow with the group.

Undergraduate Research MSc PhD Postdoctoral Research

Your email app will open with a prepared message addressed to ita.bblab@gmail.com.

Publications

Scientific publications from the principal investigator and BBLab research network.

Full record provided by the principal investigator, organized from most recent to earliest, with DOI links where available.

Google Scholar profile

Lightweight, high strength bioactive polysaccharide-based scaffold with potential to treat bone tumors

Tissue Engineering Part A, 29(13-14)

Composição vítrea bioativa e seu uso para regeneração óssea

Google Patents

Biovidros derivados do 45S5: Os efeitos do Nb2O5 ou da modificação da superfície com Ca2+ sobre a estrutura e bioatividade

UNICAMP, Campinas

Modificação da superfície de vidros bioativos com íons cálcio e tratamento térmico

Dissertação, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas

Collaborations

Strategic partnerships for regenerative orthopaedics and biomaterials translation.

BBLab connects ITA research infrastructure with clinical, engineering, and materials science partners in Brazil and abroad, supporting projects from biomaterial design to biological and preclinical evaluation.

BioTROCS protocol signing at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
BioTROCS logo International Research Group

BioTROCS - Biomedical Technologies for Regenerative Orthopaedics

BioTROCS is a joint initiative between The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Aston University, and the Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA), with João Henrique Lopes representing ITA in the collaboration.

The partnership formalizes years of joint work on advanced biomaterials, including gallium-based strategies for bone cancer and bone regeneration, and creates a framework for material exchange, shared facilities, and coordinated research communication.

R$ 2M+ active research investment
5 years protocol term, renewable
3 parties ITA, Aston, and ROH

Active project lines

  • FAPESP 2022/03247-6 Nova Geração de Pesquisadores.
  • CNPq 444922/2024-5 hybrid biodegradable injectable paste for dual therapy in bone cancer and tissue regeneration.
  • Orthopaedic Research UK ECR24-015 Early Career Research Fellowship 2024.

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

Clinical and translational orthopaedic partner supporting biological testing and alignment with real-world bone regeneration and bone cancer challenges.

Aston University

Engineering and physical sciences partner focused on manufacturing and characterization of melt-derived bioactive glasses.

Aeronautics Institute of Technology

BBLab leads sol-gel bioactive glass synthesis, polymer-glass composites, nanostructured biomaterials, and integrated biological evaluation.

INCT Nióbio logo

INCT Nióbio Network

National and international network for niobium-based innovation, connected to UFMG and partner institutions across Brazil and abroad.

Brazil United Kingdom Canada United States France / Finland Asia partners
Publication Network

Recurring scientific collaborators

The PI's publication record shows a sustained network across bioactive glasses, nanocellulose, biomacromolecules, bone regeneration, and spectroscopy.

F. V. Ferreira C. A. Bertran I. O. Mazali J. A. Camilli R. A. Martin L. P. L. de Souza L. H. C. Mattoso O. J. Rojas J. E. Barralet G. Merle

Funding

Research supported by competitive Brazilian funding programs.

BBLab's current portfolio is organized around externally funded project lines that connect materials chemistry, biofabrication, and regenerative medicine.

FAPESP

2022/16643-7

Advanced bioactive glasses and ion-releasing biomaterials for tissue repair.

FAPESP

2022/03247-6

3D bioprinting scaffolds and biofabrication routes for regenerative medicine.

INCT/CNPq

408482/2024-9

Polymer-ceramic composites and collaborative biomaterials infrastructure.

FAPESP EMU

2023/07910-4

Multiuser FTIR infrastructure located at LEAM for molecular spectroscopy.

CNPq/MCTI/FNDCT

444922/2024-5

Network project on hybrid biodegradable injectable paste for bone cancer therapy and tissue regeneration.

Orthopaedic Research UK

ECR24-015

Early Career Research Fellowship supporting BioTROCS translational orthopaedic research.

EMU FAPESP

FTIR spectroscopy at LEAM with the Shimadzu IRTracer platform.

The EMU FAPESP page presents the FTIR spectrometer, FAPESP process, access policy, committees, user instructions, and scheduling channel.

Open EMU FAPESP page

Location

BBLab at ITA, Sao Jose dos Campos.

BBLab is located at the Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica (ITA), supporting research visits, facility access, and collaborative meetings in Sao Jose dos Campos, SP, Brazil.

Open in Google Maps

Contact

Collaborate with BBLab.

Connect with the Biomaterials and Biointerfaces Laboratory to discuss research collaborations, facility access, and student opportunities.

ita.bblab@gmail.com +55 12 3947-5951 Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA), Brazil