By: Dan Tamayo

Electrospun Nanofibers are polymer solutions that are pumped through a syringe

They form an ultrafine fiber that are layered on top of each other to form a mesh

This mesh can be used to culture and cultivate cells as a scaffold in tissue engineering

http://www.jove.com/video/2494/electrospinning-fundamentals-optimizing-solution-and-apparatus-parameters 2:23

Used for tissue engineering scaffolding

Can be used to deliver medication

1902- Electrospinning was first discovered by Marley and Cooley

1934- The apparatus was designed and patented

1940- The design was perfected and a new apparatus was patented, this is the apparatus and technique we use today

Today there are ways that nanofibers can be electrospun while infused with medication. While these nanofibers biodegrade, the medication is evenly released throughout the body.

Research

Difficult to do

We will be able to make scaffolding out of materials and chemicals that mimic human proteins and tissues identically.

The optimal scaffold will be found to make cells grow, mature and direct cell migration to the best of their ability.

Meng, Z & Zu, X (2011) Preparation and characterization of electrospun PLGA/gelatin nanofibers as a potential drug delivery system. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 84 (1) 97-102

Chinwe Nwachukwu, C (2010) Electrospinning protein nanofibers to control cell adhesion. University of South Florida Scholar Commons. 55 (3)

Subbiah, h & Bhat, G (2005) Electrospinning of nanofibers. Applied Polymer Science. 96 (2) 557-569