Researchers from the University of Surrey have developed a new technique for creating 3D sponges that can promote the healing of chronic wounds by growing skin cells from the patient’s own tissue.
Electrospinning Sponges from Biodegradable Polymers
The technique, called electrospinning, involves electrifying droplets of liquid to form nanofibers from plastics. Previously, scientists had only been able to make 2D films using this method. This is the first time anybody has electro-spun a 3D structure directly and on-demand so that it can be produced to scale.
The researchers used a solution that included gelatin and polycaprolactone (PCL) – a biodegradable polymer that is known to be compatible with human tissue. They pumped this solution through a syringe into an electrical field, which stretched it into nanofibers. The resulting 3D sponges formed perfect scaffolds for growing skin cells.
Growing Skin Cells on 3D Sponges
The researchers tested the 3D sponges by growing skin cells on them. They found that after seven days, the cells were twice as viable as cells grown on 2D films or mats. They even did better than cells grown on plasma-treated polystyrene – previously, the gold standard for cell culture.
The researchers said that their findings pave the way for harvesting a patient’s own skin cells and multiplying them. These grafts could treat chronic wounds better and faster, as they would match the patient’s immune system and reduce the risk of infection and rejection.
Potential Applications and Future Work
The researchers said that electrospinning is extremely adaptable and could be used to create artificial skin, bone and cartilage too – helping people recover from wounds quicker, and with better long-term results. They also said that the technique is simple, scalable, and cheap, and could be used in other medical applications.
The research is published in the journal Nanomaterials. It demonstrates Surrey’s contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (good health and well-being), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and 12 (responsible consumption and production).
