Alginate hydrogel embedding poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) porous scaffold disks for cartilage tissue engineering

Cell encapsulated and microenvironment modulating microbeads containing alginate hydrogel system for bone tissue engineering

Functional tissue regeneration using synthetic biomaterials requires proliferation and heterotypic differentiation of stem/progenitor cells within a specialized heterogeneous (biophysical-biochemical) microenvironment. The current techniques have limitations to develop synthetic hydrogels, mimicking native extracellular matrix porosity along with heterogeneous microenvironmental cues of matrix mechanics, degradability, microstructure and cell-cell interactions. Here, we have developed a microenvironment modulating system to fabricate in situ porous hydrogel matrix with two or more distinct tailored microenvironmental niches within microbeads and the hydrogel matrix for multicellular tissue regeneration. Electrosprayed pectin-gelatin blended microbeads and crosslinked alginate hydrogel system help to tailor microenvironmental niches of encapsulated cells where two different cells are surrounded by a specific microenvironment. The effect of different microenvironmental parameters associated with the microbead/hydrogel matrix was evaluated using human umbilical-cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs). The osteogenic differentiation of hUCMSCs in the hydrogel matrix was evaluated for bone tissue regeneration. This will be the first report on microenvironment modulating microbead-hydrogel system to encapsulate two/more types of cells in a hydrogel, where each cell is surrounded with distinct niches for heterogeneous tissue regeneration.

3D-printed air-blast microfluidic nozzles for preparing calcium alginate microparticles

Uniform calcium alginate microparticles were prepared through 3D-printed coaxial air-blast microfluidic nozzles.

A novel poly(amido amine)-dendrimer-based hydrogel as a mimic for the extracellular matrix

The extracellular matrix is mimicked by a novel dendrimer-based hydrogel, which exhibits a highly interconnected porous network, enhanced mechanical stiffness, and a low swelling ratio. The hydrogel system supports the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells without any cytotoxic effects. This dendrimer-based hydrogel may serve as a model for developing new advanced materials with applications in tissue engineering.

Biologically inspired nanofibers for use in translational bioanalytical systems

Electrospun nanofiber mats are characterized by large surface-area-to-volume ratios, high porosities, and a diverse range of chemical functionalities. Although electrospun nanofibers have been used successfully to increase the immobilization efficiency of biorecognition elements and improve the sensitivity of biosensors, the full potential of nanofiber-based biosensing has not yet been realized. Therefore, this review presents novel electrospun nanofiber chemistries developed in fields such as tissue engineering and drug delivery that have direct application within the field of biosensing. Specifically, this review focuses on fibers that directly encapsulate biological additives that serve as immobilization matrices for biological species and that are used to create biomimetic scaffolds. Biosensors that incorporate these nanofibers are presented, along with potential future biosensing applications such as the development of cell culture and in vivo sensors.