Developing cost-effective, biocompatible scaffolds with nano-structured surface that truthfully replicate the physico-(bio)chemical and structural properties of bone tissue's extracellular matrix (ECM) is still challenging. In this regard, surface functionalization of natural scaffolds to enhance capability of mimicking 3D niches of the bone tissue has been suggested as a solution. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the potential of chitin-based cockroach wings (CW) as a natural scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDeveloping inexpensive, biocompatible natural scaffolds that can support the differentiation and proliferation of stem cells has been recently emphasized by the research community to faster obtain the FDA approvals for regenerative medicine. In this regard, plant-derived cellulose materials are a novel class of sustainable scaffolding materials with high potentials for bone tissue engineering (BTE). However, low bioactivity of the plant-derived cellulose scaffolds restricts cell proliferation and cell differentiation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this research, two groups of polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites were developed based on PCL-PEG-PCL tri-block polyols and cellulose nanowhisker (CNW), as a cross-linker and controller of microphase separation of blocks. The effect of PEG block length on phase segregation and crystallization of blocks was evaluated. The impact of tuned crystallization and hard domain morphology on shape memory parameters was studied in detail.
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