Advances in chitosan/gelatin scaffold design: Bridging manufacturing, crosslinking, and structure - Function dynamics
Monize Gabriella Cesquim1, Lilian Rodrigues Lopes1, Larissa Dionísio da Silva1
1Chemical Engineering Department, Engineering School of Lorena, University of São Paulo, Lorena, São Paulo, Brazil.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|November 30, 2025
Summary
This review explores how fabrication and crosslinking methods impact chitosan-gelatin scaffolds for tissue engineering. It offers a roadmap for designing advanced scaffolds with improved properties for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Chitosan and gelatin scaffolds are vital in tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility.
- Understanding the interplay between fabrication methods and crosslinking is crucial for optimizing scaffold performance.
- Current knowledge on structure-property relationships in these scaffolds is fragmented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically analyze recent advances in processing techniques for chitosan-gelatin scaffolds.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of fabrication methods and crosslinking on scaffold architecture and performance.
- To correlate scaffold properties with the biomechanical and biological requirements of tissue engineering applications.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging processing techniques including hybrid fabrication and additive manufacturing.
- Analysis of advanced crosslinking chemistries and their impact on scaffold properties.
- Correlation of scaffold microstructure, porosity, and mechanical integrity with application-specific demands.
Main Results:
- Fabrication methods and crosslinking strategies significantly influence scaffold microstructure, porosity, and mechanical integrity.
- Emerging techniques like hybrid fabrication and additive manufacturing offer novel ways to control scaffold architecture.
- Advanced crosslinking chemistries enhance scaffold performance and tailor properties for specific tissue engineering needs.
Conclusions:
- A systematic understanding of fabrication and crosslinking is essential for rational scaffold design.
- Next-generation chitosan-gelatin scaffolds require optimized functional properties for successful clinical translation.
- This review provides a roadmap for developing advanced scaffolds with tailored properties.
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