Fabricating three dimensional (3D) polymer scaffolds with tailorable surface properties has recently become attractive because they can act as initial structures for cell growth.  The GREET Program allowed for an exchange of expertise in plasma surface modification and cell engineering, resulting in successful fabrication of hydrophilic scaffolds with increased cell affinity over untreated, hydrophobic scaffolds.  H2O(g)/N2 plasmas implanted nitrogen and oxygen-containing groups into 3D poly (e-caprolactone) scaffolds, imparting immediate hydrophilicity, regardless of gas mixture.  Upon aging, scaffolds treated with 50/50 mixtures of H2O(g)/N2 retained hydrophilicity, whereas those treated with 100% N2 or 100% H2O(g) lost hydrophilicity with time.  Scaffolds were seeded with Saos 2 osteoblast cells, and preliminary results suggest increased growth on all plasma-treated scaffolds, with additional cell propagation inside N2-plasma treated scaffolds.  Interactions with Bari lab personnel provided a fun, informative exchange of scientific ideas and have jumpstarted additional collaborative projects not possible without the GREET Program.

Plasma processing for surface engineering of 3D polymer scaffolds for biomedical applications

245th National Meeting (2013)

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