Multifunctional scaffolds for biomedical applications: Crafting versatile solutions with polycaprolactone enriched by...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Biofouling and contamination in surgical environments impair medical scaffolds.
• Effective tissue regeneration requires scaffolds that promote cell attachment while preventing infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a versatile polycaprolactone-graphene oxide (PCL-GO) composite for 3D printing medical scaffolds.
• To engineer scaffolds with time-controlled antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) into polycaprolactone (PCL) to create a composite material.
• 3D printing of PCL-GO scaffolds with controlled dimensions.
• Evaluation of bacterial adhesion (E. coli, S. aureus) and bacteriophage adhesion.
• Assessment of surface wettability changes over time.
• Investigation of infrared light sterilization efficacy.

Main Results:

• The PCL-GO scaffold exhibited significant reduction in E. coli (~81%) and S. aureus (~69%) adhesion due to its initial hydrophobic effect.
• 3D printing allowed for control over scaffold height, influencing cell distribution and attachment for applications like microfluidics and wound healing.
• Surface wettability increased over time, facilitating subsequent cell population.
• Infrared light effectively sterilized scaffolds and disrupted adhered bacteria.

Conclusions:

• PCL-GO composite is a promising versatile material for medical applications, offering tunable anti-biofouling and cell-interactive properties.
• The material's properties can be modulated for specific tissue engineering and biomedical device requirements.
• Time-controlled surface characteristics and infrared sterilization present novel advantages for scaffold design.