Processing and surface modification of polymer nanofibers for biological scaffolds: a review

Abstract

Polymeric fibrous constructs possess high surface area-to-volume ratios when compared with solid substrates and are quite commonly used as tissue engineering and cell growth scaffolds. An overview of important design and material considerations for fibrous scaffolds as well as an outline of both established and emerging solution- and melt-based fabrication techniques is provided. Innovative post-process surface modification avenues using “click” chemistry with both single and dual active cues as well as gradient cues, which maintain the fibrous structure are described. By combining process parameters with post-process surface modification, researchers have been able to selectively tune cellular response after seeding and culturing on fibrous constructs.