Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Mrinal Bhattacharya, Professor
Rui L. Reis, Associate Professor and Director, 3B’s Research Group, University of Minho, Portugal
Nuno M. Neves, Assistant Professor, University of Minho, Portugal
Antonio Salgado, Graduate Student, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Portugal
Joao Oliveria, Graduate Student, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Portugal

Objective

This research will explore the development of alternative methods to produce scaffolds from a blend of natural (chitosan) and synthetic polymers for use in tissue applications. The scaffolds produced will be evaluated with respect to the morphology of the porous structure, mechanical properties, cell adhesive and proliferative properties, and degradation behavior. These scaffolds will be evaluated in the paradigm of tissue engineering.

Need or Impact

In tissue engineering applications, control of pore scaffold morphology is critical for cell colonization and cell organization within an engineered tissue as it can also impact scaffold degradation kinetics and mechanical property of the developing tissue. Material porosity is also a desired property in scaffold applications.

Project Status

In progress.