High-throughput physicochemical characterization and biological assessment of 3D porous scaffolds using a patterned superhydrophobic platform

摘要

A methodology is proposed to access in situ a series of properties of different miniaturized scaffolds deposited in an innovative array for combinatory analysis of 3D biomaterials. A superhydrophobic surface (SHS) patterned with hydrophilic spots was used to deposit different mixtures of chitosan/alginate with different amounts of fibronectin, in which the polymeric mixtures could be constrained in hydrophilic spots by the extreme hydrophobicity in the surrounding area. Three factors were varied, resulting in a total of 18 different combinatorial 3D porous scaffolds. Both mechanical properties characterization and morphology characterization equipment were successfully adapted in order to be directly applied in high-thoughput chips. The validation of the results was performed comparing the results obtained in the chip with controls consisting of individually produced scaffolds with conventional sizes. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time arrays of miniturized 3D porous scaffolds were prepared in a flat high-throughput platform. Their physicochemical and biological characterization could be performed in the chip, allowing for a rapid screening of the most convenient conditions for tissue engineering applications.