A versatile three-dimensional foam fabrication strategy for soft and hard tissue engineering.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Materials Chemistry

Background:

• Traditional fabrication of 3D porous biomaterials faces limitations in biocompatibility and versatility.
• Existing methods often struggle to create complex porous architectures suitable for diverse tissue engineering applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, green, and versatile 3D porous foam fabrication technique.
• To demonstrate the application of this technique in both soft and hard tissue engineering.
• To utilize starch gelatinization and retrogradation for creating stable porous constructs.

Main Methods:

• Employed starch gelatinization and retrogradation properties for foam stabilization.
• Fabricated 3D cultured tissue foam (CTF) with living cells (osteoblasts, fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells).
• Developed ceramic/bioglass (BG) foam scaffolds using hydroxyapatite (HA)/BG and Si3N4/BG.

Main Results:

• CTF demonstrated controlled cell release, high mechanical stability, and preserved cell viability/function.
• Ceramic/BG foams exhibited high porosity (>70%), interconnected macropores, and superior mechanical properties.
• Porous HA/BG foam showed excellent biocompatibility and osteogenesis, with significant new bone ingrowth in vivo.

Conclusions:

• The starch-assisted foaming strategy is a versatile method for fabricating diverse 3D porous biomaterials.
• This technique enables the creation of advanced constructs for both soft and hard tissue engineering applications.
• The developed foams offer improved biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and controlled cellular functions.