Preparation of Monodispersed Nanofibrous Gelatin Microspheres Using Homebuilt Microfluidics

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Materials Chemistry

Background:

• Gelatin, derived from collagen, is a key biomaterial for tissue engineering.
• Nanofibrous gelatin microspheres (NFGMs) offer desirable properties like fibrous structure and injectability.
• Existing NFGMs synthesis methods suffer from poor size control and toxic solvent use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, efficient, and eco-friendly method for synthesizing monodispersed nanofibrous gelatin microspheres (NFGMs).
• To overcome the limitations of current NFGMs production, including wide size distributions and toxic solvent usage.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microfluidic device from accessible materials.
• Utilizing a combination of the microfluidic device and thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) for NFGMs production.
• Eliminating the need for sieving and toxic solvents in the synthesis process.

Main Results:

• Successful production of monodispersed nanofibrous gelatin microspheres (NFGMs).
• Demonstration of a solvent-free and sieve-free synthesis approach.
• Development of an eco-friendly and efficient alternative for NFGMs fabrication.

Conclusions:

• The novel microfluidic and TIPS-based method provides a superior approach for NFGMs synthesis.
• This technique enhances the potential of NFGMs in tissue engineering by offering better control and sustainability.
• The developed process represents a significant advancement in biomaterial scaffold fabrication.