Hydrogels for biomedical applications.

Electrospinning: a fascinating fiber fabrication technique.

The architecture of an engineered tissue substitute plays an important role in modulating tissue growth. A novel poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) structure with a unique architecture produced by an electrospinning process has been developed for tissue-engineering applications. Electrospinning is a process whereby ultra-fine fibers are formed in a high-voltage electrostatic field. The electrospun structure, composed of PLGA fibers ranging from 500 to 800 nm in diameter, features a morphologic similarity to the extracellular matrix (ECM) of natural tissue, which is characterized by a wide range of pore diameter distribution, high porosity, and effective mechanical properties. Such a structure meets the essential design criteria of an ideal engineered scaffold. The favorable cell-matrix interaction within the cellular construct supports the active biocompatibility of the structure. The electrospun nanofibrous structure is capable of supporting cell attachment and proliferation. Cells seeded on this structure tend to maintain phenotypic shape and guided growth according to nanofiber orientation. This novel biodegradable scaffold has potential applications for tissue engineering based upon its unique architecture, which acts to support and guide cell growth.

Electrospun nanofibrous structure: A novel scaffold for tissue engineering

Application of chitosan-based polysaccharide biomaterials in cartilage tissue engineering : a review

Conducting polymers in biomedical engineering

Semisynthetic resorbable materials from hyaluronan esterification.

This study investigates the biocompatibility of polypyrrole, a conducting polymer, and comments on its potential as an effective guidance channel for the regeneration of nervous tissue The polymer was prepared in our laboratories by an electro-polymerization process Pyrrole is placed in an electrolyte and when a potential is applied polypyrrole is deposited at the anode After polymerization the polypyrrole is easily removed from the anode Extraction in methanol for a period of 1 week was carried out to remove residual electrolyte The biocompatibility of the material was assessed in vitro and in vivo The response of two cell lines growing in contact with the polymer was evaluated L929 mouse fibroblast and neuro2a neuroblastoma cells contacted the polypyrrole in a specially constructed cell culture chamber which allowed a controlled current to pass through the material In vivo, the material was evaluated following implantation into a rat model furthermore, the effect of charge on the cell lines was examined using the same cell culture chamber, but substituting platinum wire for the polypyrrole Finally, the polypyrrole was deposited directly onto the platinum wire and introduced to the cell culture chamber The results demonstrate that the polypyrrole is cytocompatible in vitro if prepared by appropriate extraction techniques In vivo there was only a minimal tissue response after 4 weeks in situ The cell culture chamber model proved successful and allowed a current up to 1 mA to be applied across the polypyrrole or platinum wire while in contact with both cell lines Some evidence of toxicity was evident when a current of 1 mA was applied across the polymer for periods up to 96 h However, it is clear from these experiments that polypyrrole can be an effective medium for carrying current in a biological environment

A preliminary assessment of poly(pyrrole) in nerve guide studies

Biodegradation of hyaluronic acid derivatives by hyaluronidase

The effect of silica nanoparticulate coatings on serum protein adsorption and cellular response.

The biocompatibility of silver

P. J. Doherty

Papers

Semisynthetic resorbable materials from hyaluronan esterification.

A preliminary assessment of poly(pyrrole) in nerve guide studies

Biodegradation of hyaluronic acid derivatives by hyaluronidase

The effect of silica nanoparticulate coatings on serum protein adsorption and cellular response.

The biocompatibility of silver