![]() ![]() More recently, nanofiber-based scaffolding systems are being explored as scaffolds for tissue engineering ( Ma and Zhang 1999 Kisiday et al 2002 Li et al 2002). A number of novel approaches have been developed for the fabrication of biomaterial-based 3D scaffolds ( Atala and Lanza 2002). The scaffold gradually degrades with time to be replaced by newly grown tissue from the seeded cells ( Langer and Vacanti 1993).īiomaterials play a crucial role in tissue engineering by serving as 3D synthetic frameworks (commonly referred to as scaffolds, matrices, or constructs) for cellular attachment, proliferation, and in growth ultimately leading to new tissue formation. These expanded cells are then seeded onto a three dimensional (3D) biodegradable scaffold that provides structural support and can also act as a reservoir for bioactive molecules such as growth factors. The tissue engineering strategy generally involves the isolation of healthy cells from a patient, followed by their expansion in vitro. ![]() Tissue engineering approaches make use of biomaterials, cells, and factors either alone or in combination to restore, maintain, or improve tissue function. Tissue engineering represents an emerging interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of biological, chemical, and engineering sciences towards the goal of tissue regeneration ( Skalak and Fox 1988 Langer and Vacanti 1993 Hoerstrup and Vacanti 2004). Tissue engineering has emerged as an excellent approach for the repair/regeneration of damaged tissue, with the potential to circumvent all the limitations of autologous and allogenic tissue repair. Allografts are not limited in supply however, they have the potential to cause an immune response and also carry the risk of disease transfer. An alternative to autografts is allografts (ie, tissue taken from another subject of the same species). However, autografts are associated with limitations such as donor site morbidity and limited availability. Tissue repair by autologous cell/tissue transplantation is one of the most promising techniques for tissue regeneration. This review summarizes the currently available techniques for nanofiber synthesis and discusses the use of nanofibers in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. Therefore, nanofibers, irrespective of their method of synthesis, have been used as scaffolds for musculoskeletal tissue engineering (including bone, cartilage, ligament, and skeletal muscle), skin tissue engineering, vascular tissue engineering, neural tissue engineering, and as carriers for the controlled delivery of drugs, proteins, and DNA. The three dimensional synthetic biodegradable scaffolds designed using nanofibers serve as an excellent framework for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. The availability of a wide range of natural and synthetic biomaterials has broadened the scope for development of nanofibrous scaffolds, especially using the electrospinning technique. Of these techniques, electrospinning is the most widely studied technique and has also demonstrated the most promising results in terms of tissue engineering applications. Currently, there are three techniques available for the synthesis of nanofibers: electrospinning, self-assembly, and phase separation. The development of nanofibers has greatly enhanced the scope for fabricating scaffolds that can potentially meet this challenge. Developing scaffolds that mimic the architecture of tissue at the nanoscale is one of the major challenges in the field of tissue engineering. ![]()
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