| The extracellular matrix is a complex and dynamic collection of collagens, non-collagenous matrix proteins, glycosaminoglycans and growth factors. The ECM plays a significant role in guiding the behavior of cells in their tissue specific niche. The recapitulation of both the mechanical and biochemical cues of the ECM is an important objective towards in vitro engineering of functional tissue replacements. Herein I describe my efforts towards the biochemical modification of 3D, porous collagen scaffolds as ECM mimics. Benzophenone mediated photochemistry was used to decorate scaffolds with patterns of vascular endothelial growth factor, which were shown to induce endothelial cells towards a vasculogenic lineage. The use of a two photon excitation for BP patterning was proven affective for surface patterning but ineffective for patterning past a couple hundreds of microns. Heterogenous scaffold patterning in all three dimensions was achieved by collagen slurry layering prior to scaffold freeze drying. A single scaffold was created with two distinct compartment a high modulus "bone" compartment and a low modulus "cartilage" compartment. This technique was used to model the osteochondral interface. |
