Evaluation of electrospun scaffolds as biomaterials for bone regeneration

Abstract

The project aims to evaluate hybrid materials as scaffolds for stem cell culture and how their differentiation into osteoblasts is affected by the biomaterials' composition. The hybrid materials proposed are produced from synthetic polymers, like poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and partially digested natural ECM from tissues including pericardium and demineralized bone. This project will continue as an extension of the initial exchange program. We also plan to incorporate digested ECM products developed during project 2011/09480-0 into the hydrogel systems already in use in Dr. Gentleman's lab. These consist of PEGDA and thiol-modified hyaluronic acid, a material with great potential for use in osteochondral regeneration. Specifically, we would incorporate Prof. Catalani's digested ECM products into the hydrogels by covalent linkage and culture encapsulated bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the hydrogels. We hypothesise that appropriate ECM products would induce chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in the hydrogels, which would be evaluated using a combination of protein expression, gene expression, microscopy and immunocytochemistry techniques. (AU)