Several polymeric materials, both natural and artificial, are investigated as biocompatible scaffolds for tissue engineering.  In this contest, nanoengineered, 3-D scaffolds are used as a framework to guide tissue regeneration and to examine the cell behaviour, adhesion, and the interactions between cells and matrices. Highly desirable materials are those that encourage the natural tissue regeneration without the need to be removed by subsequent intervention. Besides the biocompatibility of material surfaces, other issues have to be addressed  such as the use of appropriate scaffold topography and porosity to influence cell proliferation. For instance, polymeric nanofibers have been recently developed by the electrospinning technique are produced by various synthetic and natural biodegradable polymers with diameters in the nanometre range (down to < 100 nm). Electrospun polymeric nanofiber mats have some features (dimension and structure) that resembles the collagen phase of natural extracellular matrix. Some polymeric materials possess excellent biocompatibility, are biodegradable, and can provide various biofunctionalities. The nanofiber surface can be functionalized to display specific biochemical characteristics and  facilitate the attachment of cells and the control of their living functions.

 

For more information, please contact: Dr. Dario Pisignano ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )