Creeping proteins in microporous structures: polymer brush-assisted fabrication of 3D gradients for tissue engineering

Adv Healthc Mater. 2015 Jun 3;4(8):1169-74. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201400797. Epub 2015 Feb 13.

Abstract

Coupling of rapid prototyping techniques and surface-confined polymerizations allows the fabrication of 3D multidirectional gradients of biomolecules within microporous scaffolds. The compositional gradients can be tailored by polymer-brush-assisted diffusion of protein solutions. This technique allows spatial control over stem cells manipulation within 3D environments.

Keywords: 3D scaffolds; poly(ε-caprolactone); polymer brushes; protein gradients; wetting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cells, Immobilized
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polymerization
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polymers
  • Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols