Polymer Science and Technology

Biopolymers

Biopolymer scaffolds can control the formation of connective tissue to reduce scarring and enable cellular organisation into tissue substitutes. Full-thickness burns can be successfully treated with cultured skin substitutes (CSS), which are made of autologous fibroblasts and keratinocytes on a biopolymer sponge. The current CSS model has some visible benefits, but it is obvious that other manufacturing techniques could enhance the look and performance of bioengineered skin. When compared to freeze-dried sponges, electrospinning of biopolymers offers advantages in terms of production precision and composition diversity. Electrospun biopolymer scaffolds with tailored architectures and degradation rates have been found to improve mechanical strength and stability, lessen wound contraction, and encourage the engraftment of epidermal tissue substitutes.