UCSF

Nanotechnology innovations create an exciting focus for research in regenerative medicine. Nanomaterials, which form the basis of one of the booming fields of nanotechnology, have tremendous potential for tissue engineering. Many common debilitating and life-threatening diseases arise from the loss or dysfunction of specific tissue types in the body, such as peripheral nerve damages, spinal cord injuries and vascular diseases. To date, peripheral nerve, spinal cord, and vascular regeneration remains a significant challenge in regenerative medicine. The use of electrospinning to generate functional nanofibrous scaffolds for tissue regeneration is particularly exciting, as the structure and morphology of electrospun scaffolds can be manipulated to resemble that of extracellular matrix (ECM), therefore creating a more "familiar" environment for the cells. Synthetic polymer scaffolds composed of either homopolymers or copolymers are biocompatible, have configurable mechanical properties, and can be easily incorporated with bioactive molecules and stem cells to promote nerve, spinal cord, and vascular repair. Aligned nanofibers in the scaffold can enhance regeneration in damaged nerves, accelerate axon growth and angiogenesis in spinal cord injuries, and organize cell alignment and stimulate cell organization in vascular remodeling. In vivo studies demonstrate that bi-layer aligned nanofibrous scaffolds have considerable therapeutic effects for tissue regeneration. In addition, nanofibrous scaffolds offer a valuable platform for drug delivery for spinal cord regeneration. Our studies integrate life science and engineering disciplines to create new generations of prosthetic and medical implants with nanotechnology innovations, intended to benefit patient healthcare in the long run.