Nanofiber-microsphere (nano-micro) matrices for bone regenerative engineering: a convergence approach toward matrix design
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Updated: Mar 26, 2026
Electrospun Nanofiber Scaffolds with Gradations in Fiber Organization
Published on: April 19, 2015
Clarke Nelson1, Yusuf Khan1, Cato T Laurencin1
1Raymond and Beverly Sackler Center for Biomedical, Biological, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Institute for Regenerative Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
Abstract:
Bone is an essential organ for health and quality of life. Due to current shortfalls in therapy for bone tissue engineering, scientists have sought the application of synthetic materials as bone graft substitutes. As a composite organic/inorganic material with significant extra cellular matrix (ECM), one way to improve bone graft substitutes may be to engineer a synthetic matrix that is influenced by the physical appearance of natural ECM networks. In this work, the authors evaluate composite, hybrid scaffolds for bone tissue engineering based on composite ceramic/polymer microsphere scaffolds with synthetic ECM-mimetic networks in their pore spaces. Using thermally induced phase separation, nanoscale fibers were deposited in the pore spaces of structurally sound microsphere-based scaffold with a density proportionate to the initial polymer concentration. Porosimetry and mechanical testing indicated no significant changes in overall pore characteristics or mechanical integrity as a result of the fiber deposition process. These scaffolds displayed adequate mechanical integrity on the scale of human trabecular bone and supported the adhesion and proliferation of cultured mouse calvarial osteoblasts. Drawing from natural cues, these scaffolds may represent a new avenue forward for advanced bone tissue engineering scaffolds.
