Development of a cardiac patch based on a bilayer, conductive, biomimetic, polymeric scaffold
Investigator: Florian Ruther (Doktorand)
Ulrich-Schalk-Straße 3
91056 Erlangen
Raum: 01.134
Tel.: +49(0)9131 85-69637
email: florian.ruther@fau.de
Betreuer: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Aldo R. Boccaccini
This project, funded by DFG, aims to fabricate and characterize a novel type of bilayer, conductive, biomimetic polymer scaffold suitable for heart tissue engineering applications in the form of a cardiac patch [1]. The project will be focused on the integration of a porous scaffold as a mechanical carrier and an electrospun scaffold exhibiting electrical conductivity. In particular, considering the known effects of myocardial cells on electrical stimulation, electrical conductive mats will be fabricated via electrospinning. Furthermore, to match mechanical conditions of heart tissue and to enhance vascularisation, a porous membrane will be used, which will be fabricated by standard methods. The novel scaffolds will be then analyzed regarding their mechanical, conductive and biomimetic properties. The project is being carried out in collaboration with Prof. Felix Engel (Professorship for Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, University Hospital Erlangen).
[1] QZ Chen, SE Harding, NN Ali, AR Lyon, AR Boccaccini, Biomaterials in cardiac tissue engineering: ten years of research survey, Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports 59 (1) (2008), 1-37.
