Design and regulatory issues relating to bioactive
devices for regenerative medicine are very complex. Quantifiable,
reliable metrics are needed for many aspects of tissue scaffolds
and scaffold – cell interactions in order to determine
whether particular TE constructs will properly support cell
and tissue growth.
Experimental Approach
To develop model systems and demonstrate methods to characterize
the structure and function of three-dimensional scaffolds
for use as reference tools in development of tissue engineering
materials.
These systems and methods will feed into generation of standards
and metrologies for regulatory oversight, as well as provide
insight into mechanisms important to cell proliferation, differentiation,
and ECM production in 3D matrices.
We are currently focusing on the following activities.
Generation of reference materials for pore size distribution
of 3D tissue scaffolds
Application of selected 2D cell adhesion results to
3D scaffolds.
Characterization of pore size distribution dependence
of osteoblast proliferation and phenotype expression
Chondrocyte ECM production response to dynamics of
physical environment.
NIST Role
We are closely aligned with NIST strategic focus
on biosystems and health.
We are providing metrologies and reference materials to aid
in quality manufacturing and regulatory processes.
Highlights
Left
– chondrocytes generate cartilage more effectively when
stressed as demonstrated by invasive and non-invasive imaging
methods (top and bottom respectively)
Right – tissue scaffolds to be used in collaborative testing,
in preparation for establishment of reference material.
Customers and Impact
We
serve the biomaterials community through participation in ASTM
and the Society for Biomaterials, and through collaborations
with academic and industrial biomaterials groups.
NIST Contributors:
Marcus Cicerone*
Lee Ann Bailey
James Cooper
Sheng Lin-Gibson
Francis Wang
John Tesk
Collaborators:
Roger Li & Rocky Tuan
(NIH/NIAMS)
Hynda Kleinman
(NIH / NIDCR )
Biomaterials Group
Polymers Division
Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
