Streamlining the Highly Reproducible Fabrication of Fibrous Biomedical Specimens toward Standardization and High Throughput

Biopolymer-based nano- and microfiber scaffolds can be designed to mimic collagen structures, rendering them highly attractive for, e.g., regenerative medicine. However, their production is often limited to small scales with high variability. This study presents a robust high-throughput method for the standardized preparation of such delicate scaffolds, ensuring reproducibility, structural integrity, and adaptability for both laboratory work and commercial biomedical applications.

Abstract

Soft nano- and microfiber-based polymer scaffolds bear enormous potential for their use in cell culture and tissue engineering since they mimic natural collagen structures and may thus serve as biomimetic adhesive substrates. They have, however, so far been restricted to small-scale production in research labs with high batch-to-batch variation. They are commonly produced via electrospinning or melt electrowriting and their delicate nature poses obstacles in detachment, storage, and transportation. This study focuses on overcoming challenges in the high throughput production and practical handling, introducing new methods to reproducibly prepare such scaffolds suitable for quantitative cell culture applications. Attention is given to the seamless handling and transfer of samples without compromising structural integrity. Challenges in detaching fibers without damage as well as storage, and transport are addressed. Cell culture studies demonstrate the methodological advantages, emphasizing the potential for standardized testing and biological readouts of these delicate fiber materials. The developed methods are applicable across various electrospinning and melt electrowriting approaches and can essentially contribute to their utilization in laboratory research and commercial applications.