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I. Manjubala, A. Woesz, I. Pilz, M. Rumpler, N. Fratzl-Zelman, P. Roschger, J. Stampfl, P. Fratzl:
"Biomimetic mineral-organic composite scaffolds with controlled internal architecture";
Journal of Materials Science-Materials in Medicine, 16 (2005), 12; 1111 - 1119.

Bone and cartilage generation by three-dimensional scaffolds is one of the promising techniques in tissue engineering. One approach is to generate histological and functionally normal tissue by delivering healthy cells in a biocompatible scaffold. These scaffolds provide the necessary support for cells to proliferate and maintain their differentiated function, and their architecture defines the ultimate shape. Rapid prototyping (RP) is a technology by which a complex 3-dimensional (3D) structure fabrication can be produced indirectly from computer aided design (CAD). The present study aims at developing a 3D organic/inorganic composite scaffold with defined internal architecture by RP method utilizing a 3D inkjet printer to produce molds. The composite scaffolds consisting of chitosan and hydroxyapatite were prepared using soluble wax molds. The behaviour and response of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells on the scaffold architecture was studied. During a culture period of three weeks, cell proliferation and in-growth was observed by phase contrast light microscopy, histological staining and electron microscopy. The Giemsa and Gömöri staining of the cell cultured scaffolds showed that the cells proliferate not only on surface, but also fill the micropores of the scaffolds and produce extra cellular matrix within the pores. The electron micrographs showed that the cells covering the surface of the struts were flattened and grew from the edges of the pores to cover the pore channel. The cells preferred to move into the micro-porous region and proliferate and enhance the formation of extracellular matrix in it, rather than filling up the macro pore channel.

http://publik.tuwien.ac.at/files/pub-mb_4118.pdf