Skin-on-a-chip technologies towards clinical translation and commercialization.

Skin is the largest organ of the human body which plays a critical role in thermoregulation, metabolism (e.g. synthesis of vitamin D), and protection of other organs from environmental threats, such as infections, microorganisms, ultraviolet radiation, and physical damage.

Polymer-clay nanofibrous wound dressing materials containing different boron compounds.

Background: Montmorillonite (MMT) is a biocompatible nanoclay and its incorporation into polymeric matrix not only improves the polymer's wettability/biodegradability, but also enhances cellular proliferation, and differentiation. On the other hand, the positive effect of boron (B) on the healing cascade and its antibacterial properties have drawn the attention of researchers.

Materials & Methods: In this regard, B compounds in different chemical structures, boron nitride (BN), zinc borate (ZB), and phenylboronic acid (PBA), were adsorbed onto MMT and then, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) based MMT/B including micron/submicron fibers were fabricated by electrospinning.

Organomodified nanoclay with boron compounds is improving structural and antibacterial properties of nanofibrous matrices.

In this study, nanofibrous polymeric matrices were successfully developed with nanoclay, montmorillonite (MMT) and various boron (B) compounds, which were known to have positive effects on the wound healing with elevated antibacterial properties. For this purpose, MMT was modified with quaternary ammonium salt, trimethyl octadecyl ammonium bromide (TMOD), and boron compounds, boron nitride (BN), zinc borate (ZB), or phenylboronic acid (PBA) were adsorbed on organomodified MMT (OMMT). Then, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) based nanofibrous PLA-OMMT/B composites were fabricated via electrospinning.