Yitian Chen

Masterstudentin

Development of Hybrid Multilayer Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications

Supervisors: Sena Harmanci, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Nanofibrous and hydrogel scaffolds are widely used in tissue engineering because they can mimic the extracellular matrix and support cell growth and regeneration [1]. However, scaffolds made from a single material often have limited mechanical stability, bioactivity, and structural complexity. This project aims to develop bioactive glass-incorporated hierarchical scaffolds for soft tissue engineering by combining different additive manufacturing techniques and a hydrogel matrix. Bioactive glass nanoparticles containing boron will be incorporated to enhance scaffold bioactivity, as these glasses have shown potential in bone and soft tissue engineering [2]. Different formulations will be investigated, and the scaffolds will be characterised by SEM, light microscopy, and FTIR, and further evaluated through antioxidant assays, SBF immersion, degradation and swelling tests, and cell viability assays.

[1] Augustine, R.; Rehman, S.R.U.; Ahmed, R.; Zahid, A.A.; Sharifi, M.; Falahati, M.; Hasan, A. Electrospun Chitosan Membranes Containing Bioactive and Therapeutic Agents for Enhanced Wound Healing. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2020, 156, 153–170. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.03.207

[2] Balasubramanian, P.; Büttner, T.; Miguez Pacheco, V.; Boccaccini, A.R. Boron-containing bioactive glasses in bone and soft tissue engineering. Journal of the European Ceramic Society 2018, 38(3), 855–869. doi:10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2017.11.001