Nanomaterial-based Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have gained interest in bone tissue engineering (BTE) to provide scaffolds with mechanical strength and to promote adhesion and proliferation of cells as they can mimic the fibrillar extracellular matrix (ECM) morphology. These properties are necessary inorder to promote bone healing of critical size defects or to reduce interface problems with implants. However, the needle-like shape of nanotubes can rupture cell membranes and cause toxicity in living organisms. This PhD project will investigate the effects of adding different kinds of CNTs to polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels on its mechanical properties and toxicity. Additionally, 3D CNT honeycomb constructs were manufactured with and without hydroxyapatite (HAp) coating and cultured with cells to investigate potential osteoinductivity.