Coaxial Electrospinning Biopolymer With Living Cells

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine aim to produce tissue constructs in vitro which can subsequently be implanted in vivo to repair damaged or diseased tissues in a clinically relevant time scale. Coaxial electrospinning techniques are capable of producing 3D scaffolds with living cells, growth factors, and or time release drugs embedded within nano fibers. The fabrication of such electrospun mats requires a novel coaxial delivery system which provides encapsulation, protection and hydration of living cells. The electrospun fibers will form a mat adaptive to its collector that facilitates cell adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation. The embedded living cells may be employed to perform vital tasks such as secretion of matrix components and growth factors. These electrospun mats would improve viability of tissue engineered constructs, and may be made into biomedical devices. Cold water fish skin gelatin (high polarity natural polymer) is used to encapsulate cells while Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) serves as the electrospinning filler in the biosuspension. Glutaraldehyde (GTA) solution is used to preserve the 3D environment and structural integrity of the electrospun mats.