From Design to Production: Applications of Polymer and Protein Nanofibers for Regenerating Tissue
September 2018
in “
Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) (Harvard University)
”
TLDR FN nanofiber dressings improve wound healing and restore natural skin structure.
The study explored the use of engineered fibrillar fibronectin (FN) nanofibers to improve wound healing and reduce scar formation. Researchers employed Rotary Jet-Spinning (RJS) to produce FN nanofibers, aiming to mimic the extracellular matrix's architecture. The study developed a theoretical model to control fiber diameter and morphology, finding that fiber beading could be minimized by adjusting solvent volatility, solution viscosity, and spinning velocity. In a murine model, FN nanofiber dressings enhanced hair follicle and fat deposit regeneration, reduced tissue stiffness, and improved epidermal structure, indicating potential for regenerating healthy skin tissue.