GCSP research stipend | Spring 2018

Mechanical Characterization of 3D Porous Electrospun Nanoscaffolds to Optimize Tissue Regenerative Response

Bioengineering the cell microenvironment is critical when developing cell-based therapeutic devices for regenerative medicine. The focus of this project is to characterize the micromechanical properties of 3D porous electrospun nanoscaffolds intended to serve as cell substrates and aimed to match an individual’s anatomy and tissue regenerative capacity. Nanoscaffolds electrospun from hydrogel polymer solutions were nanomechanically characterized using a custom test system with specialized grips to determine the ‘stiffness’ of scaffolds of different crosslinking densities. Once fully characterized, scaffolds can then be ‘tuned’ to elicit optimal tissue regeneration in patients. This research is important for the realization of precision medicine’s potential.