Title:

Integrating Electrospun Biocomposites Fibers with Microfluidics to Regulate Cell Behavior​

To create a usable 3D network of fibers similar to the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) that cells within the body use for structure, silk fibers coated in a layer of Dextran and Dextran-Methacrylate sugars were created. This project aims to solve issues with other nanofiber structures, such as their weakness, and improve the processes to create them, so that they may be replicated and used in more laboratory settings. Initially, silk was taken from silkworm cocoons and then manipulated to remove impurities such as silkworm saliva. Dextran and Dextran-Methacrylate were dissolved in varying ratios to then be mixed with silk to create solutions ready for electrospinning. Electrospinning is a process whereby a solution within a syringe is slowly squeezed out over a matter of hours, thereby launching a distance onto a conductive surface, and splaying out strings of fiber. A number of these samples were then coated with conductive material and placed in a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) where pictures were taken to analyze fiber traits. For the cell culture, other samples were used. Due to the high solubility of dextran, the scaffold was dissolved in a solution of Dextran-Methacrylate itself dissolved in 150 µL (1X) PBS with 3 µL Irgacure (I2959) added. Then, by transferring it to a MatTek dish to photo-crosslink the solution under UV light for 60 seconds to form a gel. The hydrogels were then coated with 0.1 mg/mL Fibronectin for 1 hour. Once the hydrogels were coated, they were washed once with (1X) PBS. 50,000 cells were seeded for each setting. Electrospinning fibers at distances closer or further away than 12 cm created high amounts of dense bulbs inside of the fabric, lowering usability. Differing molecular weights of Dextran did not seem to have an effect. Higher ratios of Dextran-Methacrylate appear to benefit the strength and flexibility of fibers, however, these high ratios run into issues when attempting to dissolve the fibers for cell seeding. Higher concentrations of silk relative to Dextran create tangled, dense fiber structures. This being said the silk and dextran nanofibers are capable of supporting cellular life, and the structural integrity of the fibers seems to be greater than without silk. It should be noted, however, that the best way to improve the usability of fibers still appears to be higher ratios of Dextran-Methacrylate.

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