Advanced Biodegradable Polymer Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering II

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2024 | Viewed by 2856

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: nanomaterials; drug delivery systems; biomimetic materials; biogenic calcium sources; composite scaffolds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Science and Engineereing of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, Politehnica University of Bucharest, RO-011061 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: synthesis and characterization of nanobiomaterials; polymers; pharmaceutical nanotechnology; drug delivery; anti-biofilm surfaces; nanomodified surfaces; natural products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With its multidisciplinary approach, this Special Issue aims to gather the most recent and important knowledge in top-priority scientific fields, such as health and emerging technologies. Tissue and organ regeneration are still a challenge in contemporary medical practices. There are currently numerous treatment options, which include the possibility of transplantation, mechanical devices, artificial prostheses, surgery, and drug therapy—yet when discussing massive tissue damage, a major issue is represented by the development of biodegradable scaffolds, with proper mechanical and biological properties, to create a balance between tissue resorption and formation. Apart from the biocompatibility of the implanted materials, another limitation arises from the high risk of infection associated with surgical intervention. This Special Issue will focus on modern synthesis routes and characterization techniques to design tissue regeneration materials with enhanced properties in terms of antimicrobial effect and biocompatibility requirements (e.g., 3D porous composite scaffolds with controlled release of bioactive compounds, scaffolds based on biotemplates, or naturally derived biomaterials, with the potential to mimic the native tissue).

Dr. Ionela Andreea Neacsu
Dr. Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • polymers
  • scaffolds
  • composites
  • porous materials
  • wound dressings
  • 3D printing
  • biomedical applications
  • cell proliferation
  • biodegradability
  • tissue engineering

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 3361 KiB  
Article
Exploring Schwann Cell Behavior on Electrospun Polyhydroxybutyrate Scaffolds with Varied Pore Sizes and Fiber Thicknesses: Implications for Neural Tissue Engineering
by María Florencia Lezcano, Paulina Martínez-Rodríguez, Karina Godoy, Jeyson Hermosilla, Francisca Acevedo, Iván Emilio Gareis and Fernando José Dias
Polymers 2023, 15(24), 4625; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15244625 - 06 Dec 2023
Viewed by 801
Abstract
The placement of a polymeric electrospun scaffold is among the most promising strategies to improve nerve regeneration after critical neurotmesis. It is of great interest to investigate the effect of these structures on Schwann cells (SCs), as these cells lead nerve regeneration and [...] Read more.
The placement of a polymeric electrospun scaffold is among the most promising strategies to improve nerve regeneration after critical neurotmesis. It is of great interest to investigate the effect of these structures on Schwann cells (SCs), as these cells lead nerve regeneration and functional recovery. The aim of this study was to assess SC viability and morphology when cultured on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) electrospun scaffolds with varied microfiber thicknesses and pore sizes. Six electrospun scaffolds were obtained using different PHB solutions and electrospinning parameters. All the scaffolds were morphologically characterized in terms of fiber thickness, pore size, and overall appearance by analyzing their SEM images. SCs seeded onto the scaffolds were analyzed in terms of viability and morphology throughout the culture period through MTT assay and SEM imaging. The SCs were cultured on three scaffolds with homogeneous smooth fibers (fiber thicknesses: 2.4 μm, 3.1 μm, and 4.3 μm; pore sizes: 16.7 μm, 22.4 μm, and 27.8 μm). SC infiltration and adhesion resulted in the formation of a three-dimensional network composed of intertwined fibers and cells. The SCs attached to the scaffolds maintained their characteristic shape and size throughout the culture period. Bigger pores and thicker fibers resulted in higher SC viability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biodegradable Polymer Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering II)
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15 pages, 2880 KiB  
Article
Development of Silk Fibroin-Based Non-Crosslinking Thermosensitive Bioinks for 3D Bioprinting
by Juo Lee, Sangbae Park, Sungmin Lee, Hae Yong Kweon, You-Young Jo, Jungsil Kim, Jong Hoon Chung and Hoon Seonwoo
Polymers 2023, 15(17), 3567; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15173567 - 28 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1125
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting holds great promise for tissue engineering, allowing cells to thrive in a 3D environment. However, the applicability of natural polymers such as silk fibroin (SF) in 3D bioprinting faces hurdles due to limited mechanical strength and printability. SF, derived from [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting holds great promise for tissue engineering, allowing cells to thrive in a 3D environment. However, the applicability of natural polymers such as silk fibroin (SF) in 3D bioprinting faces hurdles due to limited mechanical strength and printability. SF, derived from the silkworm Bombyx mori, is emerging as a potential bioink due to its inherent physical gelling properties. However, research on inducing thermosensitive behavior in SF-based bioinks and tailoring their mechanical properties to specific tissue requirements is notably lacking. This study addresses these gaps through the development of silk fibroin-based thermosensitive bioinks (SF-TPBs). Precise modulation of gelation time and mechanical robustness is achieved by manipulating glycerol content without recourse to cross-linkers. Chemical analysis confirms β-sheet conformation in SF-TPBs independent of glycerol concentration. Increased glycerol content improves gelation kinetics and results in rheological properties suitable for 3D printing. Overall, SF-TPBs offer promising prospects for realizing the potential of 3D bioprinting using natural polymers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biodegradable Polymer Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering II)
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Review

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17 pages, 1640 KiB  
Review
Novel Photothermal Graphene-Based Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications
by Alexa-Maria Croitoru, Denisa Ficai and Anton Ficai
Polymers 2024, 16(8), 1098; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16081098 - 15 Apr 2024
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Abstract
In the last decade, photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted tremendous attention because it is non-invasive, shows high efficiency and antibacterial activity, and minimizes drug side effects. Previous studies demonstrated that PTT can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria and promotes cell proliferation, accelerating [...] Read more.
In the last decade, photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted tremendous attention because it is non-invasive, shows high efficiency and antibacterial activity, and minimizes drug side effects. Previous studies demonstrated that PTT can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria and promotes cell proliferation, accelerating wound healing and tissue regeneration. Among different NIR-responsive biomaterials, graphene-based hydrogels with photothermal properties are considered as the best candidates for biomedical applications, due to their excellent properties. This review summarizes the current advances in the development of innovative graphene-based hydrogels for PTT-based biomedical applications. Also, the information about photothermal properties and the potential applications of graphene-based hydrogels in biomedical therapies are provided. These findings provide a great potential for supporting their applications in photothermal biomedicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biodegradable Polymer Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering II)
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