Healthcare Engineering

Tissue Engineering for Artificial Skin and Bone

Hybrid nanoscale scaffold of PLGA [poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)] is fabricated through electrospinning (see figure below).

PLGA is a synthetic biodegradable polymer that can be processed into desirable shape, mechanical properties, and degradation rate. A magnified view of electrospun PLGA scaffold is shown below.

PLGA scaffold is coated with collagen that provides cell-recognition signals and hydrophobic properties to facilitate cell growth.

An in vitro cell culture study is then conducted using the PLGA scaffold coated with collagen, followed by animal and human studies.