About

Dr. Alexandros Tsouknidas is an Associate Professor of Restorative Sciences and Biomaterials at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. He is also the Director of the Applied Biomechanics Laboratory. His research focuses on Biomedical Engineering, with an emphasis on the application of Biomechanics and Biomaterials in Dentistry. Prior to joining GSDM, he served as a tenured Associate Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Biomaterials and Computational Mechanics, as well as the MSc in Biomedical Engineering, at the University of Western Macedonia in Greece. Dr. Tsouknidas has co-founded PLiN Nanotechnology S.A., a research-driven start-up that received venture capital funding, and has served as an External Reviewer for the World Health Organization concerning group-specific guidelines for manufactured nanomaterials. He has also been a past President of the Hellenic Society of Biomechanics and serves on the editorial boards of various citation-indexed journals. With a PhD and MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, he has published more than 60 scientific articles.

Research topics

• Biology
• Materials science
• Nanotechnology
• Medicine
• Computational biology
• Biochemistry
• Horticulture
• Botany
• Microbiology
• Cell biology
• Food science
• Chemistry
• Pharmacology
• Immunology
• Organic chemistry

Selected publications

• Assessment of microstructural architecture and mechanical properties of levonorgestrel loaded PCL/PLGA/HA nanofibers

  Next Materials · 2025-05-20

  articleOpen access

  The combination of Polycaprolactone (PCL), Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and hyaluronic acid (HA) in nanofiber formulations offers a synergistic approach for the development of advanced biomaterials. Understanding the inherent limitations of individual polymers and the modification of key parameters in nanofiber production is crucial for fabricating composite electrospun fibers especially for the purpose of contraception. This study investigates the microstructural characteristics, and mechanical properties of PCL/PLGA/HA loaded Levonorgestrel (LNG) nanofibers for contraception. PCL, PLGA, and HA were mixed in suitable diluents at a ratio of 3:2:1. Levonorgestrel was added to the polymer blend. PCL/PLGA/HA was electrospun with surfactant sodium cocoamphoacetate (CAP) and an outer layer of HA was electrosprayed in the same proportion as stated above. Eight nanofiber samples were fabricated, each varying in collector type, presence of LNG, and additional treatments with CAP. The mean diameter of samples ranged from 6.28 ± 0.27 pix to 5.38 ± 0.07 pix. The tensile strength, Young’s modulus and elongation at break were also determined. This study showed the relationship between formulation and processing parameters and the resulting fiber characteristics via image-based analysis and mechanical testing, highlighting the potential for precise control over nanofiber properties for tailoring nanofiber mats for delivery of Levonorgestrel in contraception. • Microstructural properties of PCL/PLGA/HA loaded Levonorgestrel nanofibers can be optimized to impact on its drug loading/ release and fiber degradation. • Careful manipulation of formulation and processing parameters opens new possibilities for tailoring nanofibers to specific biomedical applications. • The investigation demonstrated that collector type, surfactant inclusion, and processing conditions significantly influence fiber microstructural architecture and mechanical properties.

  PublisherDOI

• Role of interproximal contacts in implant-supported crown stability: A finite element analysis study

  Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry · 2025-04-22 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Innovative Multilayered Electrospun Fiber Systems for Dual‐Action HIV Prophylaxis and Nonhormonal Contraception

  Advances in Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background: Electrospun fiber drug delivery systems, integrated into multipurpose prevention technologies, offer a promising solution for women facing health risks from HIV/STIs and unmet contraceptive needs by providing on‐demand protection in a single dosage form. This study investigates the potential of a multilayer electrospun fiber construct for pH‐responsive and sustained release of the HIV microbicide tenofovir (TFV) and the CatSper channel blocker nifedipine (NFP) respectively. Method: Electrospun fibers were fabricated in a stacked architecture by blend electrospinning using polycaprolactone (PCL) as the backing layer for delivering NFP and cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) as the top layer for delivering TFV. An analysis of surface morphology, mechanical and chemical properties, mucoadhesion, drug release profiles, encapsulation efficiency, and safety assessments was performed. Results: An encapsulation efficiency of 52.13% was achieved for TFV, with a drug loading of 7.00%, while for NFP, the encapsulation efficiency was 63.86%, with a drug loading of 0.56%. The top layer exhibited a pH‐responsive release profile and Fickian diffusion in both SVF and SVF/SF environments, while the backing layer showed Fickian diffusion in SVF and a release profile closer to zero‐order in SVF/SF. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of multilayered CAP/PCL electrospun fibers for intravaginal delivery of TFV and NFP, aimed at the pre‐exposure prophylaxis of HIV‐1 and prevention of unplanned pregnancy.

  PublisherDOI

• An Insight into Cancer Cells and Disease Progression Through the Lens of Mathematical Modeling

  Current Issues in Molecular Biology · 2025-06-20

  reviewOpen access

  During cancer initiation, normal cells acquire mutations disrupting standard cellular processes, activating oncogenes and inactivating tumor suppressor genes, acquiring the well-described hallmarks of cancer on the path to malignancy. This process is influenced by a combination of physiological and metabolic pathways, as well as environmental cues, and leads to abnormal cell cycle, increased cell motility, and invasive characteristics. Cancer cell organelles also present some distinct differences from those of normal cells. Cancer progression requires certain tumorigenic biochemical pathways to be activated. However, mechanical cues are also important, as they have an effect on cell differentiation and fate. A continuous biochemical-biomechanical interaction exists, which affects the mechanical properties of the cells, as well as their behavior. This review aims to focus on the mathematical relationships governing cancer mechanobiology and examine how the altered mechanical properties of a cancer cell may affect malignant progression.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Structure–Function Interplay in Piezoelectric PCL/BaTiO3 Scaffolds Fabricated by Phase Separation: Correlation of Morphology, Mechanics, and Cytocompatibility

  International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2025-12-30 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Bone regeneration relies on the coordinated interplay between mechanical and biological cues. Piezoelectric composites, capable of converting mechanical strain into electrical signals, offer a promising approach to stimulate osteogenesis. This study aimed to develop and characterize polycaprolactone (PCL) and barium titanate (BaTiO3) composite scaffolds fabricated through thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), and to systematically evaluate the effects of polymer concentration and ceramic incorporation on scaffold morphology, porosity, mechanical properties, and cytocompatibility were systematically evaluated. The resulting scaffolds exhibited a highly porous, interconnected architecture, with 9% PCL formulation showing the most uniform morphology and consistent mechanical and biological behavior. Incorporation of BaTiO3 did not alter pore structure or compromise cytocompatibility but slightly enhanced stiffness and surface uniformity. SEM-based image analysis confirmed homogeneous BaTiO3 dispersion across all formulations. MTT assays and confocal microscopy demonstrated robust pre-osteoblast adhesion and spreading, particularly on denser composite scaffolds, confirming that the inclusion of BaTiO3 supports a favorable environment for cell proliferation. Overall, optimizing polymer concentration and ceramic dispersion enables fabrication of structurally coherent, cytocompatible scaffolds. The findings establish structure–property–biology relationships that serve as a baseline for future investigations into the electromechanical behavior of PCL/BaTiO3 scaffolds and their potential to promote osteogenic differentiation under physiological loading.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Could footwear stiffness reduce the development of proinflammatory markers in long-distance runners?

  Advances in Medical Sciences · 2024-07-17 · 1 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Design, Additive Manufacturing, and Characterization of an Organ-on-Chip Microfluidic Device for Oral Mucosa Analogue Growth

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2024-01-01

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Advancements in Biomaterials for Bioengineering and Biotechnology

  International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2024-07-17 · 8 citations

  editorialOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Biomaterials, whether of biological or synthetic origin, have risen to the forefront of modern medical innovation since the early 2000s, transcending their traditional roles in orthopedic and dental applications, to encompass drug delivery systems, implantable biosensors, and templates for cellular growth and tissue regeneration [...].

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Clinical translation of polycaprolactone-based tissue engineering scaffolds, fabricated via additive manufacturing: A review of their craniofacial applications

  Biomaterials Advances · 2024-05-20 · 24 citations

  reviewSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Mini-review: Pathways of postural disturbances tracing to the stomatognathic system

  Neuroscience Letters · 2024-07-01 · 1 citations

  reviewSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Nikolaos Michailidis

  Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

  46 shared

• K.‐D. Bouzakis

  Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

  39 shared

• S. Makrimallakis

  Centre for Research and Technology Hellas

  30 shared

• G. Skordaris

  Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

  30 shared

• E. Bouzakis

  University of Thessaly

  30 shared

• G. Katirtzoglou

  27 shared

• S. Gerardis

  University of Western Macedonia

  26 shared

• Kleovoulos Anagnostidis

  University Hospital Llandough

  16 shared

Labs

• Restorative Sciences & BiomaterialsPI

Education

• Ph.D.

  Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)

  2007

• M.S.

  Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)

  2001