Growing Three Dimensional Vascularized Structures to Mimic Natural Tissue

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The Medical Materials Group has extensive experience in the development of collagen scaffolds that mimic tissue structures. Collagens predominate in animal and human tissue and their role is two-fold: to provide a suitable mechanical support and to foster cell attachment and function. Freeze-drying followed by zero length cross linking provides a base technology for the production of 3D collagen environments and by controlling the chemistry of the process, it is possible to control the mechanical response and degradation properties. We have worked in the area of dermal tissues, cardiac tissues and nerve regeneration and are able to reproduce the architecture of natural tissue, providing space for cell colonization and for nutrient and oxygen transport. However, we also understand the importance of our three dimensional scaffold environments for the development of blood vessels which are key to tissue repair and regeneration. Through careful choice of cell type and culture conditions we have begun to reproduce vascularized tissue structures and these offer an important step further toward recapitulating the native tissues. We would propose to explore the fabrication of 3D collagen scaffolds using ice templating and characterize these using X-ray microtomography, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical testing. We will then use co-culture of appropriate biological cells to create a vascularized structure that mimics native tissue.