Regenerative Materials - A Dual Perspective

In contrast to the relatively recent emphasis on environmental impact assessment in material synthesis and manufacturing, life-cycle considerations of biomaterials used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have long focused on the biodegradability of the material in the physiological environment or its clearance from the body post-implantation and degradation. In particular, the alpha-hydroxy polyester family of polymers, specifically polylactic acid (PLA) and its co-polymer with polyglycolic acid (PGA), have dominated the field with their well-established record of biocompatibility. What makes these materials especially attractive is the fact that they are designed to stimulate regenerative cell responses and, moreover, as they degrade, in vivo space is made available for new tissue growth. Notably, these polymers break down via hydrolysis and the degradation products, lactic acid and/or glycolic acid, can be readily processed by the body through the Krebs cycle. While these materials are regenerative in function and in its life cycle, inherent challenges in the fabrication of these material into biomimetic nanofiber scaffolds, which traditionally utilizes solvents that are environmentally hazardous and pose a significant barrier to industrial scale-up and clinical translation. We will discuss green manufacturing methods and how to leverage biofabrication for the production of nanofibrous scaffolds and regenerative materials for both medical and non-medical applications.