Cell & Tissue Growth

Cell Culturing & Soft Robotics

In vitro analysis of tissue engineering structures is a crucial step in understanding the biocompatibility of the scaffolds for successful implantation and tissue regeneration. Cells are seeded onto the melt electrospun scaffolds and cultured over a designated period of time. After seeding cells, cells attachment, cells proliferation and cells differentiation is observed using different assays, such as:

  • Live/Dead Assays are used to monitor the survival rate of cells within the scaffolds where live cells are stained green and the dead cells red.
  • DAPI/Phalloidin staining is used to observe cell attachment on the scaffolds. DAPI stains the cell nuclei (blue) and Phalliodin stains the cytoskeleton of the cells (red) which shows cell structural attachment.

Using advanced imaging techniques such as Confocal Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy, the cells can be imaged and cell attachment and proliferation can be both qualitatively and quantitatively analysed.

In addition to static 3D cultures, the Biofabrication & Tissue Morphology group have developed a suite of dynamic tissue culture systems such as anatomical bioreactors and soft robotic-acctuated systems to stimulate tissues during in vitro culture to mimic physiological mechanical conditions.

Image: Confocal image of DAPI/Phalloidin staining of cells grown for 28 days on a PCL/bioglass composite melt electro-written scaffold (credit: Madison Ainsworth, Biofab Masters Student)

Tissue Growth

In vivo analysis of tissue engineering structures is a vital and complimentary component to in vitro assays for assessing medical device functionality in physiologically-relevant animal models. The Biofabrication & Tissue Morphology group has extensive experience in small and large animal models, primarily focussing on orthopaedic models such as rat calvarial defects, long bone models in sheep and osteochondral models in pigs.

 


Chief Investigators

Publications