Ezequiel Agliano

Visiting student (National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina)

Development of hierarchical scaffolds using a combination of melt electrowriting and electrospinning

 

Supervisors: Dr. Irem Unalan, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds are essential components in tissue engineering, as they should mimic the extracellular matrix’s biological and mechanical properties (ECM) with adequate pore size [1]. In this regard, this Master thesis will focus on hierarchical scaffolds fabricated via a combination of melt electrowritting (MEW) [2] and electrospinning [3] techniques to design micro-nano structures. For this approach, a polycaprolactone-based MEW scaffold will be produced, which will then be functionalised by electrospun fibers. This Master ’s thesis will investigate the hierarchical scaffolds regarding their physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. This project is part of the I.DEAR program of Master student exchange between the Institute of Biomaterials (FAU) and INTEMA (National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina), funded by the Argentine-German University Center (CUAA-DAHZ).

[1] El-Rashidy, A. A., Roether, J. A., Harhaus, L., Kneser, U., & Boccaccini, A. R. (2017). Regenerating bone with bioactive glass scaffolds: A review of in vivo studies in bone defect models. Acta Biomaterialia, 62, 1–28.

[2] Afghah, F., Dikyol, C., Altunbek, M., & Koc, B. (2019). Biomimicry in Bio-Manufacturing: Developments in Melt Electrospinning Writing Technology Towards Hybrid Biomanufacturing. Applied Sciences, 9(17), 3540.

[3] Unalan, I., Endlein, S. J., Slavik, B., Buettner, A., Goldmann, W. H., Detsch, R., & Boccaccini, A. R. (2019). Evaluation of electrospun poly (ε-caprolactone)/gelatin nanofiber mats containing clove essential oil for antibacterial wound dressing. Pharmaceutics, 11(11), 570.