3D Printing of Chitosan Scaffolds and Films with Varying Roughness for Cultivation of Human Retinal Progenitor Cells
Chitosan was used for three-dimensional (3D) printing of films and well-resolved scaffolds. Three different molecular weights with a comparable degree of de-N-acetylation were studied for 3D printing; inks were characterized using rheology, and the resulting two-dimensional (2D) and 3D architectures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Printing and fixation were optimized for retention of shape fidelity. The films and scaffolds were functionalized with a short peptide containing the integrin-binding arginylglycylaspartic acid (Arg–Gly–Asp, RGD) sequence using a postprinting grafting approach. The 2D films and 3D scaffolds prepared were studied as support materials for human retinal progenitor cells (hRPCs), and the properties of native and RGD-modified chitosan were compared as support materials for hRPCs. The adhesion and proliferation of hRPCs were studied over a period of 6 or 18 days, and Matrigel was used as a positive control. Grafting with the RGD-containing peptide generally improved the biocompatibility of the materials. When comparing films with varying surface roughness resulting from the method used for drying, the cellular response differed significantly. The best performing material was air-dried chitosan films, which resulted in the formation of axons and larger cell clusters with observable live cells after 18 days of culture time. This work demonstrates effective methods for the preparation of 3D printed architectures and the promise of these materials for cell therapies and bioengineering applications.
Fra nanofiber i sårsalve til verdens høyeste trehus.
Interview in Svensk Papperstidning
The journal “Svensk Papperstidning” has recently published an interview with RISE PFI regarding RISE PFIs research within nanocelluloses (Svensk Papperstidning no. 2/22). Read more...
2021 TAPPI NanoDivision Mid-Career Award
Development of sustainable biobased materials to replace fossil-based plastics. Read more...
The BioComp project has been highlighted in Compounding World. We continue our efforts on assisting the industry with the implementation and realization of commercial products. Read more...
Interview in Compouding world - 2020
"Environmental concerns with plastic littering are motivating the development of sustainable biocomposites, where biobased plastics reinforced with lignocellulosic fibres are clear options. " Read more...
“Our innovation project can be divided into two specific biomedical developments. First, we focused on the development of an innovative prosthesis that improves the quality of life of vulnerable patients with cancer in the pelvic cavity. Secondly, we have produced oxygenated nanocelluloses for wound dressings.” Read more...
Elicitors from food residues - LinkedIn
“Innovative solutions to waste streams in the wine and fruit juice industries have been developed in this project, extracting medium to high-added value mixtures that can be used as plant immune-system elicitors in green-houses and farms, with the potential to reduce the need for agrochemicals”, Read more...
Turning agricultural biowaste into high-value 3D-printing materials
Bagasse is an agro-industrial residue with major potential for several high-value products. Read more...
Surface-modified nanocellulose hydrogels for wound dressing. NanoWerk
Cellulose is a biopolymer consisting of long chains of glucose with unique structural properties whose supply is practically inexhaustible. It is found in the cell walls of plants where it serves to provide a supporting framework – a sort of skeleton. Nanocellulose from wood – i.e. wood fibers broken down to the nanoscale – is a promising nanomaterial with potential applications as a substrate for printing electronics, filtration, or biomedicine. Read more...
