The optimisations of a biohybrid scaffold from Poly(Glycerol Sebacate) Methacrylate polymer

Collagen, the primary protein in the human body, plays a critical role in fabricating extracellular matrix (ECM)-based scaffolds for treating damaged soft tissues. This study focuses on the creation of polyglycerol (sebacate)-methacrylate (PGS-M) scaffolds to promote the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and encourage collagen production. The PGS-M scaffolds boast the advantageous properties of PGS combined with the polyHIPEs structure, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, porosity, and interconnectivity, which have been employed in various cell cultivation studies. The objectives of this research are to optimise a mechanical stimulation protocol to enhance the rate of HDF proliferation, collagen synthesis, and tissue architecture on PGS-M scaffolds, as well as to establish effective sterilisation methods to ensure sterility and improve cell attachment. To this end, a state-of-the-art robotic bioreactor equipped with position and force sensing capabilities and a feedback mechanism was built. Additionally, various decellularisation techniques were assessed for PGS-M scaffolds. The findings reveal that lower displacement and shorter resting times during mechanical stimulation facilitate increased cell proliferation, while higher displacement and longer resting times promote collagen production. Moreover, the freeze and thaw technique was identified as the appropriate approach for decellularising cultured PGS-M scaffolds. Notably, the successful application of force sensing capability in the in-house robotic bioreactor further enriches the scope of this study. This research enhances the understanding of the optimal conditions for stimulating collagen synthesis and cell proliferation on PGS-M scaffolds, thus contributing to the potential of these scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.