Seminar: "Surface Modification of Electrospun Micro-/Nano-Fibers for Protein Delivery"

ENGINEERING / BIOMATERIALS SEMINAR
Surface Modification of Electrospun Micro-/Nano-Fibers for Protein Delivery

Dhirendra S. Katti, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering
Indian Institute of Technology – Kanpur, INDIA

Friday, June 4, 2010
B&H Room 190
2:00 p.m.

Abstract

Poly (l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) has been widely explored as scaffolds in tissue engineering. However, its hydrophobicity can adversely affect events such as protein adsorption and downstream cell adhesion in tissue engineering applications. Although surface modification techniques (high energy radiation / chemical treatment) to modify the hydrophobicity of PLGA can be useful at the macroscopic scale, their usefulness for micro-/ nano-meter scale objects can be limited due to adverse affects on physical properties. In this talk, I will present some of our recent studies on the surface hydrophilization of electrospun micro-/nano-fiber meshes of PLGA (85:15) by using the following techniques - blending with small quantities (0.5-2%) of a non-ionic surfactant Pluronic® F-108 (PF-108), mild chemical treatment and mild photo-chemical methods.