Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Invited Review Paper

Electrospun nanostructured scaffolds for tissue engineering applications

abstract

Despite being known for decades (since 1934), electrospinning has emerged recently as a very widespread technology to produce synthetic nanofibrous structures. These structures have morphologies and fiber diameters in a range comparable with those found in the extracellular matrix of human tissues. Therefore, nanofibrous scaffolds are intended to provide improved environments for cell attachment, migration, proliferation and differentiation when compared with traditional scaffolds. In addition, the process versatility and the highly specific surface area of nanofiber meshes may facilitate their use as local drug-release systems. Common electrospun nanofiber meshes are characterized by a random orientation. However, in some special cases, aligned distributions of the fibers can be obtained, with an interconnected microporous structure. The characteristic pore sizes and the inherent planar structure of the meshes can be detrimental for the desired cell infiltration into the inner regions, and eventually compromise tissue regeneration. Several strategies can be followed to overcome these limitations, and are discussed

info.journal
Nanomedicine
info.volume
2
info.issue
6
info.pagination
929-942
info.keywords
biodegradable nanofibers, control porosity, drug-release systems, Electrospinning, fiber alignment, in vitro studies, in vivo studies, scaffolds, synthetic ECM analogue, Tissue engineering
info.rights
Restricted Access
info.peerReviewed.label
info.peerReviewed.yes
info.status
published
sidebar.yearOfPublication
2008
sidebar.datePublished
2008-10-17
sidebar.googleScholarsidebar.bibTexsidebar.rtf
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