The goal of this research was to develop a system of individualized medicine that could be applied to dermal wounds serving as a wound dressing and synthetic extracellular matrix while delivering stem cells to the wound bed. First, fabrication parameters for electrospinning polymer fibers were determined. This involved evaluating fiber morphology with respect to polymer selection and solution concentration. Next, construct fabrication was examined to produce an integrated void space, or cargo area, suitable to maintain stem cells. In vitro studies to ensure stem cell viability and phenotype were conducted, and results supported the notion that cells could be administered to the wound site through construct pre-seeding. Lastly, in vivostudies were conducted to evaluate the construct as an applied biomaterial and as a cellular delivery device. Wound closure and quality were assessed, and neo-vascularization quantified. This project will provide insight into the tissue engineering field regarding cell-based therapies and dermal wound healing.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:vcu.edu/oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-7121 |
| Date | 01 January 2017 |
| Creators | Clohessy, Ryan M |
| Publisher | VCU Scholars Compass |
| Source Sets | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | © Ryan Clohessy |
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