Design of synthetic scaffolds for tissue regeneration applications

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: This study evaluated a novel process of PCL matrix formation, while independently regulating the mechanical, degradation, and biological properties. Its properties were compared with properties of scaffold formed by conventional method. Also, mimicking anatomically relevant structure of PCL scaffolds was also explored, and a bioreactor for 3-D scaffold was simulated to find optimized fluid dynamics. The results were obtained by experimental, analytical, and computational methods.

Findings and Conclusions: A novel method of forming PCL scaffolds in an aqueous environment was investigated to develop a biocompatibility and environment friendly process. Biodegradability of PCL was enhanced by blending low molecular weights of PCL, and gelatin-chitosan composite was hybridized to improve porous structure and to promote better cell adhesion. A bladder shape of scaffold was mimicked by self assembly and multi-layered scaffolds. Hence, this technique offers a significant opportunity to enhance the use of PCL in biomedical applications. In addition, fluid dynamics of the bioreactors contains large and 3-D scaffolds (mimicked bladder shape) were simulated and characterized using COMSOL 3.5a Multiphysics. These results can be used as a criterion while developing bioreactors for the human bladder tissue regeneration.