Micromachining of Polyurethane Membranes for Tissue Engineering Applications
Ayesha Arefin1,2, Quinn Mcculloch1,3, Ricardo Martinez3
1Nanoscience and Microsystems Department, University of New Mexico, MSC01 1120, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 20, 2021
Summary
Femtosecond laser machining rapidly fabricates thin, microporous membranes for tissue engineering. This technique creates reproducible pores, enabling advanced air-liquid interface cell cultures for toxicology and disease research.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Toxicology
Background:
- Engineered tissue barrier models are crucial for in vitro toxicology and disease research.
- Existing membranes lack physiological stiffness and reproducible pore production methods.
- A need exists for optimized membranes mimicking the basement membrane microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation for rapid, reproducible micropore fabrication in membranes.
- To optimize laser parameters for creating specific pore sizes and density.
- To demonstrate the utility of these membranes in air-liquid interface (ALI) tissue culture models.
Main Methods:
- Utilized femtosecond (fs) laser pulses for high-precision, cold-ablation of polymeric membranes.
- Optimized laser parameters on polyurethane membranes to achieve 5 μm average pore diameter.
- Cultured tissue on fabricated membranes at air-liquid interface (ALI) for 28 days.
Main Results:
- Achieved automated, high-throughput, and reproducible fabrication of thin, microporous membranes.
- Demonstrated successful tissue culture and barrier formation on the ALI platform for 28 days.
- Confirmed the viability of fs laser machining for creating porous substrates.
Conclusions:
- Femtosecond laser machining is a viable method for producing high-quality porous membranes for tissue engineering.
- This technique enables the creation of advanced in vitro tissue barrier models.
- The developed membranes support long-term cell culture and mimic physiological microenvironments.
