NTC Project: F05-NS04
1
Electrospun Core-Sheath Fibers for Soft Tissue Engineering
Project No.: F05-NS04
Project Team:
Leader:
Bhupender S. Gupta/ NC State University
Members:
Martin W. King/ NC State University
Samuel Hudson/ NC State University
Elizabeth G. Loboa/ NC State University
Rudolf Hufenus/ Post-doctoral Fellow
Jessica Gluck/ Graduate Student
Ajit Moghe/ Graduate Student
GOAL STATEMENT:
The goal of this research is to develop novel bi-component nanofiber structures, using natural
and synthetic biodegradable polymers that could be used as scaffolds for engineering soft tissues.
ABSTRACT:
The current project involves co-axial electrospinning of two different polymers, one natural and
the other synthetic, both biodegradable, to produce ‘sheath-core’ structures. The project, in the
first phase, is focusing on the development of the technology required for the production of
uniform core-sheath fibers and on determining the factors that affect the morphology of the
fibers produced. The coaxial needle set-up has been prepared that involves two syringes with
needles and two pumps to drive the syringes. Initial studies to determine the feasibility of the
approach to developing bicomponent structures have been performed using available polymers-
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Polyethylene oxide (PEO). The TEM studies of the cross section of
the fibers reveal the core-sheath structure. Currently, the electrospinning of Collagen (Type I)
and of Polycaprolactone (PCL) are being performed to find the optimum processing conditions
(suitable solvent, concentration, flow rate, potential difference and distance between the needle
and the collector) for each material. Immediate future plans include coaxial electrospinning of
Collagen and PCL, as sheath and core respectively, to fabricate constructs for tissue engineering.
The mechanical testing, in vitro degradation studies, and the cell culture studies, will be
performed on the constructs to evaluate their v