SBIR PHASE II, TOPIC 019: ELECTROSPUN BIODEGRADABLE MEMBRANE INSERTS

Cell culture tools expand our abilities to conduct research from studying basic properties to developing specific medical treatments. These tools work best when they mimic cell’s and tissue's biological environment as closely as possible while maintaining high reproducibility in high throughput in vitro assays. As such, cell culture is moving to 3D tissue models, focusing on their in vivo-like properties as opposed to earlier 2D culture. Biodegradable nanofiber membranes offer an advance for in vitro tissue modeling: they contain biomimetic ECM topography, which provides temporary structural support and relevant mechanical and spatial growth cues for nascent tissues. The proposed cell culture biodegradable insert membrane will provide early biomimetic support for seeded cells; cellular extracellular matrix will then replace the function of the membrane as is degrades, resulting in free-standing tissue attached to the insert, for experimentation. To this end, biodegradable membranes will be incorporated into a novel cell culture insert for 96-well plates. Electrospinning will be used to create the nanofibrillar membranes composed of PCL and PLGA, two well characterized biodegradable biomaterials. Two designs will be investigated initially with monoculture cell sheets, and then subsequently, in the Phase I neuronal co-culture model to validate the insert. The insert is required to have specific dimensions, be compatible with imaging techniques used by most researchers, and to have specific pore size and degradation kinetics to mimic integration into the body.