Electrospinning/Electrospray
Molecular Understanding of Cell-Synthetic Nanofiber Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Interactions
Processing and Characterisation of Nanometer Scale Fibers
| Research grant no. WBS R-398-000-002-112 |
Principal Investigator Prof Seeram Ramakrishna, ME, Div of Bioengrg, and NUSNNI, NUS |
Duration of grant April 28, 2002 - April 30, 2005 |
| Collaborator(s) A/P Lim Chwee Teck, MPE, and Div of Bioengrg, NUS Asst/P Vincent Tan BC, MPE, and NUSNNI, NUS |
Research staff1x RA , 1x RF Research students | |
| Abstract A nanofiber is a fiber possessing a diameter on the nanometer scale. Fibers of various compositions with micrometer scale diameters have been traditionally used to reinforce plastics and metals. Similarly, nanofibers or nanowishers can also be used as reinforcing agents to make nanocomposites. The nanofibers of poly-Lactic Acid-Co-Glycolic Acid (PLAGA) polymer with the diameters of 500 nm are being used as biosensor in medical applications. Much interest has been generated recently in the area of tissue engineering to create biological alternatives for implants and prostheses. Biodegradable polymers have been widely used as scaffolding materials to regenerate new tissues. In this proposal we focus our attention on the fabrication of biocompatible, non-degradable nanofibers for medical applications. We will also fabricate biodegradable nanofibers like collagen, PLLA, PLGA, PCL etc by electrospinning their polymer solutions at the later stage of the program. It is anticipated that systematic exposition and knowledge obtained from studying these nano-fibers will result in an understanding of the behavior of natural biological tissues. | ||
Molecular Understanding of Cell-Synthetic Nanofiber Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Interactions (Multi-Disciplinary Research Project)
| Research grant no. WBS R-398-000-003-112 (75%) / R-398-003-640 (25%) |
Principal Investigator Prof Seeram Ramakrishna Department of Mechanical Engineering |
Co-Principal Investigator A/P Hanry Yu, Dept of Physiology, NUS |
Duration of grant June 23, 2003 - June 22, 2006 |
| Collaborator(s) Assoc PF Wang Shu, IMRE, Division of Bioengineering, NUS, IBN Prof Ram Sasishekaran, Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Research staffs2x Research Fellow (planned) Research students | ||
| AbstractIn recent years, bioengineers demonstrated a new method of producing synthetic tissues by incorporating isolated living cells into porous scaffolds and creating conditions for cells to proliferate, organize and develop into the desired tissues or organs. The scaffold, a synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM), provides an initial biomechanical profile for the cells until they produce an adequate ECM of their own. Researchers applied this approach to engineer a number of tissues in the body. However, the engineered tissues lack the desired functional characteristics. In order to engineer functional tissues, molecular understanding of interactions between cells and synthetic ECM is critical, as the ECM is actively involved in orchestrating various cellular functions. This research focuses on deriving an in-depth investigation of the interplay between synthetic ECM and cell behavior. The ECM in natural tissues comprises 3-dimensional hierarchical fibrous structures of nanometer scale dimensions. To mimic the microstructure of natural ECM, in this study the synthetic ECMs will be made using nanometer scale fibers of biodegradable polymers. It is hypothesized that systematic knowledge on the interplay between cells and synthetic nanofiber ECM is a key to achieving the ultimate goal of producing functional engineered tissues. | |||