Development of hybrid scaffold with biomimetic 3D architecture for bone regeneration

In this work, a biomimetic three-dimensional hybrid scaffold has been designed by considering the architectural and compositional features of natural bone, which contain collagen nano-fibrils along with interconnected micro porous matrix. To mimic the nano-hierarchy of bone, tightly coiled spiral rings of core-sheath nanofibers were reinforced within a gellan/HA hydrogel matrix, which gives an osteon like arrangement of core-sheath nanofibers, in a highly porous gel matrix. Along with mimicking the bone structure (cortical and trabecular), the reinforcement of nanofibrous spiral coils in the hydrogel matrix enhanced the overall mechanical strength of scaffold, which is a pre-requisite for bone tissue regeneration.227