Thesis
Varying the porosity of electrospun monoaxial and coaxial collagen nanofibers
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4467
Abstract
As the average age in the United States increases, so do the costs associated with a variety of chronic conditions, which when symptom management is applied can lead to drug tolerance and the onset of side effects over long term drug exposure. Personalized medicine is an area of research, which proposes to manage symptoms and/or treat disorders without long term tolerance or side effects. Electrospinning is a rapid, cost effective technique, which can be utilized to generate non-woven, nanofibrous matrices that resemble the body's own extra cellular matrix (ECM). The ability for these mats to resemble the natural ECM leads to high levels of cell adhesion, growth, proliferation and differentiation. The unique capabilities of electrospun matrices were investigated here by applying the technique to generate: matrices of gelatin and collagen with varying salt concentrations and matrices containing the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chondroitin sulfate (ChS). The gelatin and collagen matrices were analyzed for their ability to trap salts both within the matrix and within the individual fibers. The matrices were subsequently leached to form pores. The mats were analyzed using FESEM, FTIR and EDS to determine the presence and release of salt. It was shown that the salt entrapment could be controlled by controlling the solution salt concentration and that, after covalently crosslinking the fibers, the salts could be leached while maintaining some of the fibrous structure. The ChS containing matrices were analyzed to determine the effect of blend polymer net charge on the fiber forming capacity of the polymer blend solutions. The mats were analyzed with FESEM, FTIR and EDS to determine the presence of the various blend polymers and ChS. It was found that the molar ratio of ChS:blend polymer in solution played a large role in the concentration of ChS in the final fibrous matrices. Also, it was found that electrospinning another GAG, hyaluronic acid (HA), with ChS led to the highest concentration of ChS in the fibrous matrices. These mats will be further investigated for applications in regenerating cartilaginous tissue for articulating joint repair.
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Details
- Title
- Varying the porosity of electrospun monoaxial and coaxial collagen nanofibers
- Creators
- Ryan Christopher Gifford-Hollingsworth - DU
- Contributors
- Caroline L. Schauer (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials (Science and) Engineering (Metallurgical Engineering) (1970-2026); College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4467; 991014632297204721