AIBN Seminar Series Biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering applications via melt electrowriting

Abstract

Melt electrowriting (MEW) is a fascinating additive biomanufacturing technique that merges the physical principles of fused deposition modelling and electrospinning, bringing together the best of both worlds. Scaffolds manufactured by MEW are tailorable in terms of fibre architecture, porosity and thickness. Moreover, MEW is a solvent-free process, compatible with the use of medical grade thermoplastic polymers. These exclusive advantages make MEW an ideal manufacturing technique for the production of biomimetic polymeric scaffolds for a wide range of tissue engineering applications. However, despite the great advantages of MEW, this technique is still at its infancy in laboratory setups and a lot of work needs to be done to facilitate a widespread use of it. In this seminar, I will first give an overview of the physical principles and unique capabilities of MEW, followed by some examples on how to capitalize its potential to produce biomimetic scaffolds with controlled mechanical properties for tissue engineering applications. Finally, I will conclude presenting the future outlook of this research.