(left) False colour electron microscope image of unstretched scaffold visualizing the connection between the PGA and P4HB polymers, (middle) stretching the elastic scaffold, (right) stretched scaffold with aligned fibres
ETH Zurich licensing opportunity for 3D microfibrillar scaffolds
ETH Zurich is looking for a licensing or collaboration partner for 3D microfibrillar scaffolds that can be used for vitro cell culture, tissue engineering and surgical applications (factsheet)
With this easy and fast method a highly porous and aligned 3D scaffold can be prepared for biomedical and clinical applications, such as tissue engineering, reconstructive surgery and basic cell research
Proper cell organization is a requisite when engineering tissue with a specific functionality. The topology of a scaffold helps cells to align in the right way. 3D scaffolds with large enough pores for cell infiltration, aligned morphology and reasonable preparation times remain a challenge.
Invention
A 3D scaffold is built from commercially available and clinically approved nonwoven microfibrillar meshwork (PGA), coated with a secondary polymer (P4HB) to entangle the individual fibres. An unidirectional strain is applied to the polymers while the temperature remains above the glass transition temperature of both polymers. Uncoiled fibres align parallel to the strain axis giving rise to a 3D scaffold with large pores for cellular infiltration. The microfibrillar scaffold was successfully tested on re-growing rabbit tendon on a millimeter scale.
Features & benefits
- Preserving huge amounts of porosity
- Efficient cell seeding
- Aligning the cells and tissues
Fields of application
- Tissue engineering
- Reconstructive surgery
- Basic cell research
Patent status
- Patent pending
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +41 44 632 23 82
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