Modeling the Formation of Highly Aligned Texture on the Inner Surface of Semi-Permeable Axonal Guidance Hollow Fiber Membranes

这笔赠款为了解采用湿相转化工艺的半透轴向导引中空纤维膜(HFM)内表面高度取向织构的形成机理提供了支持。这样的理解对于开发可重复和高效的组织再生支架至关重要。本研究的目的是模拟湿相转化过程中HFM沟槽的形成机理，并建立所制备的沟槽几何形状与轴突生长速率之间的敏感关系。主要研究工作包括：设计和构建具有全传感和控制能力的实验倒相装置，了解凹槽形成机理，对所制备的HFM宏观几何形状和微观几何形状进行建模，验证凹槽形成的建模方法，并通过背根神经节外植体再生试验测试凹槽几何形状对轴突生长的敏感性。本研究有望在模拟HFM内表面凹槽形成的物理推理、HFM宏观和微观几何形状对轴突生长有效性的敏感性方面产生知识，并为基于HFM制造的相位反转制造的传感器集成装置提供更好的设计。这项研究将是理解、模拟和制造高频磁体内表面高度对准的沟槽的开拓性尝试。这项研究将改善临床应用的轴突生长，促进对生物制造研究的科学理解，促进生物制造方面的教学和培训，扩大未被充分代表的群体的参与，并加强克莱姆森大学生物制造研究和教育的基础设施，详细向全国推广。

This grant provides support for the effort to understand the formation mechanism of highly aligned textures on the inner surface of semi-permeable axonal guidance hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) using a wet phase inversion process. Such an understanding is critical in developing reproducible and highly effective scaffolds for tissue regeneration. The objectives of this research are to model the HFM groove formation mechanism during the wet phase inversion process and establish a sensitivity relationship between the fabricated groove geometry and axonal outgrowth rate. Key research activities will include designing and building an experimental phase inversion apparatus with full sensing and controlling capability, understanding the groove formation mechanism, modeling the fabricated HFM macrogeometry and microgeometry, verifying the modeling approaches for groove formation, and testing the sensitivity of groove geometry on axonal outgrowth via a dorsal root ganglion explant regeneration assay.This study is expected to generate knowledge on physical reasoning in modeling HFM inner surface groove formation, sensitivity of HFM macroscopic and microscopic geometries on axonal outgrowth effectiveness, and a better design for a sensor integrated apparatus for phase inversion based HFM fabrication. This research will be a pioneering attempt to understand, model, and fabricate highly aligned grooves on the inner surface of HFMs. This study will improve the axonal outgrowth for clinical applications, stimulate scientific understanding of biomanufacturing research, promote teaching and training in biomanufacturing, broaden participation of underrepresented groups, and enhance the infrastructure for biomanufacturing research and education at Clemson University with a detailed outreach to the whole nation.