3D-Fabrication of cell selective scaffolds

01.02.2007 - 31.07.2010
Research funding project
Modern methods for solid freeform fabrication (e.g. rapid prototyping ¿ RP) allow the fabrication of arbitrarily complex structures with high feature resolution. Using these methods, it is possible to fabricate cellular materials, whose geometry offers the ideal environment for the cultivation of cells which can form bone-like tissue. Besides geometric constraints, the scaffolds with open porosity have to fulfill a number of requirements regarding the utilized bulk material. The material should exhibit no cytotoxicity. Additionally it should be biodegradable in such a way that over time the scaffold can be replaced by natural tissue. The biodegradability will be achieved by using modified gelatine. By appropriate chemical modifications the gelatine can be made soluble in the photopolymerizable formulation, which is required for the following lithographic shaping process. Additional modifications make the gelatine photopolymerizable. In this project, new photopolymers are developed which can be shaped by RP-methods like stereolithography. It is therefore possible to fabricate scaffolds with defined internal and external geometry. The pore size can be tailored in such a way that the fabricated part offers a similar geometric environment as trabecular bone. The scaffolds are then seeded with mesenchymal stem cells. In the given environment these cells differentiate into osteoblasts which are able to generate bone tissue. By modifying the surface of the scaffolds with collagen I and IV the adhesion of detrimental haematopoietic cells can be prevented, thus leading to an improved tissue generation.

People

Project leader

Sub project leader

Project personnel

Institute

Grant funds

  • FWF - Österr. Wissenschaftsfonds (National) Austrian Science Fund (FWF)

Research focus

  • Biological and Bioactive Materials: 100%

Keywords

GermanEnglish
Rapid PrototypingRapid Prototyping
WerkstoffwissenschaftenMaterials Sceince
PhotopolymerisationPhotopolymerisation

External partner

  • Ludwig Bolzmann Inst.f Osterologie, UKH Meidling
  • Institut für Angewandte Synthesechemie

Publications