Bottom-up generation of 3D silk fibroin–gelatin microfluidic scaffolds with improved structural and biological properties

Silk fibroin has shown great potential for tissue engineering applications. However, it is still challenging to generate three-dimensional (3D) silk fibroin microfluidic scaffolds with desirable properties. Here we proposed to improve the structural and biological properties of silk fibroin scaffolds by the addition of gelatin. The blending ratio of silk fibroin and gelatin was investigated. The obtained composite material was further employed to generate 3D microfluidic porous scaffolds using a bottom-up assembly strategy. We envision that this method can be potentially used to engineer thick tissues when the microfluidic channels are perfused with culture medium to enhance nutrient and oxygen supply.

► The microstructures changed from lamellar to porous as gelatin content increased. ► The biocompatibility of SF–G scaffold was improved as gelatin content increased. ► Gelatin content had no effect on porosity, but could modulate scaffold strength. ► A bottom-up strategy was proposed to fabricate 3D microfluidic porous scaffolds. ► The predefined microfluidic channels were fully interconnected in 3D.