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Advanced Scaffold Fabrication for Articular Cartilage Regeneration: Combining Aligned Electrospinning and Melt-Electrowriting Techniques
This study focuses on osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting millions of adults globally. OA, characterized as degenerative joint disease, arises from stress and abnormalities within various synovial joint tissues, leading to cartilage and bone breakdown, resulting in pain, stiffness, and functional impairment. Biomedical applications seek solutions, where solution electrospinning (SES) is employed to create nanofibrous scaffolds with tunable 3D structures. The project's goal is to achieve aligned electrospun fibers mimicking the parallel arrangement of collagen types II and IV in articular cartilage. Contrary to traditional methods, fiber alignment is pursued using isolation gaps on a flat collector rather than high rotational speeds. Optimal alignment sets the stage for melt-electrowriting (MEW), a captivating technique to deposit multiscale fibrous scaffolds atop the electrospun matrix, replicating the layered architecture of cartilage. MEW involves extruding a viscous polymer melt via a syringe under an electric field onto a mobile collector, enabling the construction of intricate micro-sized structures. This innovative approach holds promise for fabricating biomimetic materials for OA therapy and beyond.
Osteoarthri is (OA) affects more than 32.5 million adults in the US and stands as the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition worldwide. Also referred to as degenerative joint disease or "wear and tear" arthritis, OA is a multifactorial, slow-progressing, non-inflammatory disorder that arises from stress and abnormalities in various synovial joint issues, including articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, periarticular muscles, peripheral nerves, and synovium. These factors contribute to the breakdown of car.lage and bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional disability.
For biomedical applications, solution electrospinning (SES) has long been utilized as a solution. SES enables the production of nanofibrous scaffolds and offers the ability to fine-tune the 3D structure by adjusting fiber diameter and scaffold porosity. In this project, the aim is to achieve aligned electrospun fibers to better emulate the tangential parallel arrangement of densely packed collagen types II and IV fibers observed in the superficial zone of articular cartilage.
The main challenge lies in obtaining fiber alignment without relying on the commonly used and effec.ve method of high rota.onal speed of a cylindrical collector. Instead, the fiber alignment will be achieved by incorpora.ng isola.on gaps on a flat collector.
Once optimal fiber alignment is achieved, the melt-electrowriting technique can be applied to deposit a multiscale fibrous scaffold on top of the electrospun matrix, thus better replicating the layered structure of articular cartilage.
Melt electrospinning (MEW) is a relatively recent and captivating method for producing polymer scaffolds in nano- and micro-sizes. In melt electrospin writing, a viscous polymer melt is extruded from a fine syringe under the influence of an electrical field. The polymer is then deposited on a mobile collector capable of three-dimensional translation, allowing for the construction of regular lattice or truss structures with features on the micrometer scale.
Osteoarthri is (OA) affects more than 32.5 million adults in the US and stands as the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition worldwide. Also referred to as degenerative joint disease or "wear and tear" arthritis, OA is a multifactorial, slow-progressing, non-inflammatory disorder that arises from stress and abnormalities in various synovial joint issues, including articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, periarticular muscles, peripheral nerves, and synovium. These factors contribute to the breakdown of car.lage and bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional disability. For biomedical applications, solution electrospinning (SES) has long been utilized as a solution. SES enables the production of nanofibrous scaffolds and offers the ability to fine-tune the 3D structure by adjusting fiber diameter and scaffold porosity. In this project, the aim is to achieve aligned electrospun fibers to better emulate the tangential parallel arrangement of densely packed collagen types II and IV fibers observed in the superficial zone of articular cartilage. The main challenge lies in obtaining fiber alignment without relying on the commonly used and effec.ve method of high rota.onal speed of a cylindrical collector. Instead, the fiber alignment will be achieved by incorpora.ng isola.on gaps on a flat collector. Once optimal fiber alignment is achieved, the melt-electrowriting technique can be applied to deposit a multiscale fibrous scaffold on top of the electrospun matrix, thus better replicating the layered structure of articular cartilage. Melt electrospinning (MEW) is a relatively recent and captivating method for producing polymer scaffolds in nano- and micro-sizes. In melt electrospin writing, a viscous polymer melt is extruded from a fine syringe under the influence of an electrical field. The polymer is then deposited on a mobile collector capable of three-dimensional translation, allowing for the construction of regular lattice or truss structures with features on the micrometer scale.
We are looking for a master's student to perform the following tasks:
1.Brief literature review.
2.Establishment of a protocol to produce aligned fiber electrospun substrates.
3.Combine those optimized subtrates with the MEW technique.
We are looking for a master's student to perform the following tasks: 1.Brief literature review. 2.Establishment of a protocol to produce aligned fiber electrospun substrates. 3.Combine those optimized subtrates with the MEW technique.
For further information please contact Elisa Bissacco (Doctorate at D-HEST, Professur für Biomechanik, Laboratory of Orthopaedic Technology) elisa.bissacco@hest.ethz.ch
For further information please contact Elisa Bissacco (Doctorate at D-HEST, Professur für Biomechanik, Laboratory of Orthopaedic Technology) elisa.bissacco@hest.ethz.ch