Polymer Scaffolds
Polymer Scaffolds - Related Videos
10:08
Electrospinning Fibrous Polymer Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Cell Culture
0 Views •
Cited by 38 •
2009
The process of electrospinning polymers for tissue engineering and cell culture is addressed in this article. Specifically, the electrospinning of photoreactive macromers with additional processing capabilities of photopatterning and multi-polymer electrospinning is described.
09:37
Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold
0 Views •
Cited by 33 •
2015
Scaffolds capable of fitting within cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) bone defects while exhibiting osteoconductivity and bioactivity are of interest. This protocol describes the preparation of a shape memory scaffold based on polycaprolactone diacrylate (PCL-DA) using a solvent-casting particulate-leaching (SCPL) method employing a fused salt template and application of a bioactive polydopamine coating.
09:32
Electrospun Nanofiber Scaffolds with Gradations in Fiber Organization
0 Views •
Cited by 5 •
2015
Here, we present a protocol to fabricate electrospun nanofiber scaffolds with gradated organization of fibers and explore their applications in regulating cell morphology/orientation. Gradients with regard to physical and chemical properties of the nanofiber scaffolds offer a wide variety of applications in the biomedical field.
02:34
Polymers
0 Views •
2020
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
12:28
Melt Electrospinning Writing of Three-dimensional Poly(ε-caprolactone) Scaffolds with Controllable Morphologies for Tissue Engineering Applications
0 Views •
Cited by 56 •
2017
This protocol serves as a comprehensive guideline to fabricate scaffolds via electrospinning with polymer melts in a direct writing mode. We systematically outline the process and define the appropriate parameter settings for achieving targeted scaffold architectures.
FAQs
Pore size and interconnection determine how effectively cells attach to scaffold surfaces, migrate through the structure, and access nutrients. Connected pores also create pathways for removing metabolic waste, helping maintain conditions that support tissue formation. Because these features affect both cellular organization and transport, scaffold architecture is a major design variable in regenerative biology and tissue-engineering studies.
Mechanical properties provide physical support while new tissue forms, whereas degradation gradually changes the scaffold as regeneration progresses. If these characteristics are tailored to the developing tissue, the structure can support organization without remaining unnecessarily long-term. This balance allows researchers to study how material behavior influences cell–material interactions and the formation of engineered tissue.
Their design can influence cell organization through pore architecture, material properties, and the controlled delivery of biological signals. These factors give researchers ways to study how cells respond to their surrounding material and to guide tissue formation rather than relying only on passive support. The same principles also contribute to engineered tissues and organ models.
Researchers consider the scaffold’s polymer type, interconnected pore structure, mechanical behavior, degradation rate, and ability to deliver biological signals. Together, these features determine whether cells can attach, migrate, receive nutrients, remove waste, and organize into developing tissue. Design choices therefore depend on the intended biological setting, including the requirements of bone, cartilage, or skin repair.
A design workflow begins by identifying the target tissue and its structural needs. Researchers then select a synthetic or natural polymer, establish interconnected pores, and tailor mechanical properties and degradation behavior to the developing tissue. They may also incorporate controlled biological signals before examining cell–material interactions, organization, and tissue formation in the engineered system.
Polymer scaffolds support research on repairing or replacing damaged bone, cartilage, and skin. In these settings, investigators can examine whether cells attach, migrate, organize, and form developing tissue within a designed three-dimensional environment. The approach also supports engineered tissues and organ models, extending its use from repair studies to broader investigations of regenerative biology.