Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER
7
Bioscaffolds: Fabrication
and Performance
Princeton Carter and Narayan Bhattarai
Department of Chemical and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University,
Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
Prospectus
The fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) scaffold
architectures that closely approximate or effectively
mimic native tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) is
essential for regenerative success. In tissue engi-
neering, native differentiable cells are incorporated
into 3D scaffolds along with growth factors and
other proteins. Materials used for the 3D scaffold
construction must be biocompatible and bioresorb-
able to minimize adverse reactions during tissue
regeneration. A 3D architecture is created by utiliz-
ing materials with specific surface properties, poros-
ity, mechanical strength, etc., to improve desired
cell activity and enhance tissue growth. Ideal 3D
scaffolds should also not only have hierarchical
macroporous structures comparable to those of living
tissue, but they should also have surface features on
the nanometer scale to improve cell adhesion and
accelerate cell in growth.
7.1 INTRODUCTION
Since its inception centuries ago, scaffolding has
remained an indispensable practice in the field of
construction. Soaring around the perimeter of
unfinished skyscrapers or encasing recently
erected houses, scaffolding is a fixture in metropo-
lises and suburban communities alike. These skel-
etal systems, typically composed of tubing affixed
to wide planks, can be made from a variety of
materials, though metallic components are often
used. They function to critically support the safe
and effective erection of edifices by allowing work-
ers to immediately retrieve building materials
and access various parts of the evolving structure.
The scaffold must be strong, durable, and able to
withstand its environment for the duration of the
task. Most important, however, the supporting
network must be removed with no consequence
to the recently formed or restored structure.
The principles underlying frameworks in con-
struction are analogous to those guiding scaf-
folding in tissue engineering and regenerative
medicine. Support structures for regenerative
Keywords
3D scaffolds, Bioresorbable materials, Composite
materials, Electrospinning, Extracellular matrix,
Hydrogels, Injectable scaffolds, Nanofibers, Natural
polymers, Peptides, Porogen, Porosity, Resorbable
biomaterials, Surface modification, Self-assembly,
Tissue-derived scaffolds, Tissue engineering
