Soft Matter Composites Interfacing with Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues - Bioinspired Approaches for Human-Centric Technologies - page 29

Chapter 2
Soft Matter Composites Interfacing
with Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues

Athanassia Athanassiou, Despina Fragouli, Ilker Bayer, Paolo Netti,
Loris Rizzello, and Pier Paolo Pompa

2.1 Introduction

The parameters that affect and optimize the interactions at bio/non-biointerfaces are
revised and analyzed in this chapter. We focus on soft polymeric materials starting
with their critical properties that determine the viability of biological systems in
contact with them. In particular, the right combination of surface chemistry, topo-
graphy, and mechanical properties of the employed materials can generate the ideal
interface for the target biological organism. We present the state of the art of the
applications of such bio/soft matter composites interactions in tissue engineering
for scaffolds and skin wound dressings.
Biocompatible, bioinert polymers are already used as implants in the human
body in order to mimic the activity of a body part. The recent challenge though for
the research in this field that will be discussed herein is to develop biodegradable
scaffolds where specific cells can grow, adhere, proliferate, get vascularized, and
eventually develop a tissue. The control of surface topography, chemistry, and
mechanical properties in combination with appropriate nanofillers or biological
growth factors present in the extracellular matrix can guarantee clinical success to
future engineered scaffolds.
In the field of skin wound healing, active dressings that can provide the right
conditions for optimized progress of the healing are gaining increasing space. We
revise the most recent research efforts in the area, focusing on hydrogel type and
electrospun nanofibrous dressings. These two types of materials, due to their