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Dimosthenis Mavrilas
University of Patras, Greece
Keynote: J Clin Gen Genomics
Statement of the Problem: Tissue engineering is a promising solution for the problem of organ or tissue shortage. A main requirement is the use of biologically functional scaffolds to deliver cells to the implant site and/or provide a structure for cell attachment to regenerate lost or damaged extracellular matrix (ECM). The natural ECM is structured in the nanoscale range, a characteristic that should be incorporated into scaffold design for tissue engineering. Scaffolds produced by the electrospinning process have several unique advantages. In this research, we survey the potential of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) for the synthesis of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds and investigate their biomechanics and cell's interaction for successful tissue engineering applications.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: PCL pellets were dissolved in acetic acid (20% wt.). Electrospinning was implemented to manufacture the microporous nanofibrous scaffolds. Morphological characterization was observed by SEM. Mechanical tensile testing and in vitro degradation of the scaffolds were also performed. The MTT assay was used to determine viability of hCMEC/D3 cell line following exposure to electrospun PCL scaffolds surface.
Findings: Results showed a scaffold morphology consisting of parallel, aligned and homogeneous PCL microfibers with diameter 1.16 ± 0.45 um, pore size 17.7 ± 5.37 um (Figure 1) and measured elastic modulus 18.3 ± 0.23 MPa, in the fibers direction. Gravimetric weight loss of the PCL scaffolds immersed to PBS (37°C) was measured weekly over 15 weeks (4- 10% weight loss). Capability of cell infiltration verified by MTT assay where cytotoxicity was not observed, exhibiting high cell viability (85.64 ± 3.12%).
Conclusion & Significance: Utilizing the electrospinning process we were able to produce laminate micro fibrous PCL scaffolds. Their structural organization and biomechanics mimic natural tissue ECM structure and biofunctionality, as well as they are capable of hosting cells. This material (PCL) appears to be a promising candidate for tissue engineering applications.
Dimosthenis Mavrilas is a professor of Biomedical Engineering in the Laboratory of Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aer/tics, University of Patras, Greece. He is an expert in biomechanics of biomaterials and biomedical engineering of cardiovascular system. Last decade his research targets in tissue engineering, producing scaffolds either of biological origin (decellularized animal tissues) or from synthetic polymers. His research team achieved the production of either random or parallel fibrous orientation of synthetic biodegradable polymeric nanofibers, capable for the structure of multi laminate biomimetic scaffolds, suitable especially for cardiovascular tissue engineering.
E-mail: dmauril@upatras.gr
