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Updated: Apr 3, 2026
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Electrospun Nanofiber Scaffolds with Gradations in Fiber Organization
Published on: April 19, 2015
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Silk cryogel and electrospun scaffold characterization for bone-tendon interface applications.
Amritha Anup1, Milenka Men1, Katelyn Wasacz1
1Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|April 2, 2026
Summary
This study developed silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds using electrospinning and cryogelation to model the bone-tendon interface. The novel scaffolds support cell infiltration and offer tunable properties for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Hard-to-soft tissue interfaces, like bone-tendon junctions, present significant clinical challenges due to complex mechanical loads and cellular crosstalk.
- Current treatment success rates are limited, highlighting the need for advanced in vitro models to understand and improve healing processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize novel silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds as an in vitro model for the bone-tendon interface.
- To investigate the potential of combining electrospinning and cryogelation techniques for creating biomimetic scaffolds.
- To assess the suitability of these scaffolds for studying natural repair mechanisms and cell behavior.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds using electrospinning and cryogelation techniques.
- Incorporation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) as a copolymer with SF in electrospun scaffolds.
- Characterization of scaffold morphology (fiber diameter, pore size), mechanical properties (elastic modulus), chemical composition (FTIR), degradation, and cell viability (Live Dead assay).
Main Results:
- Electrospun SF/PHB scaffolds exhibited 1-micron fiber diameters, while SF cryogels showed 150-200 μm pores, mimicking native tissue dimensions.
- Scaffolds demonstrated appropriate mechanical properties (50 MPa for electrospun, 0.3-0.5 MPa for cryogels) and confirmed material integration via FTIR.
- Cell viability was confirmed, with cells aligning along fibers and within pores, and supporting infiltration of both tendon and bone cells.
Conclusions:
- A multi-technology, multi-material approach successfully created tunable, heterogeneous scaffolds for modeling the bone-tendon interface.
- These advanced scaffolds provide a promising platform for investigating complex tissue interactions and optimizing regenerative strategies.
- The developed model holds potential for advancing the treatment of challenging hard-to-soft tissue injuries.
