Recent advances in ice templating: from biomimetic composites to cell culture scaffolds and tissue engineering

Abstract

We review the evolution of ice-templating process from initial inorganic materials to recent developments in shaping increasingly labile biological matter.

Colonization versus encapsulation in cell-laden materials design: porosity and process biocompatibility determine cellularization pathways

“…However, key factors, such as the ice front velocity, should also be controlled, as in situ behaviour studies of yeast cells in alginate scaffolds recently demonstrated that high ice front velocity related to local pressure developed during freezing [51] could be lethal for cells [52]. These recent results suggest the suitability of IT to tackle cell encapsulation as discussed elsewhere [53]. Figure 2 recapitulates the process biocompatibility of IT, taking into account recent encapsulation results mentioned here.…”

Preparation of mesh-like collagen scaffolds for tissue engineering

“…Cubic close-packed lattices of monodispersed polymer microspheres have been used to increase the interconnectivity of porous scaffolds. 15,19 These methods can be used for the preparation of thick collagen scaffolds. However, it is difficult to prepare thin mesh-like collagen scaffolds with good interconnectivity, although thin collagen scaffolds have broad applications for tissue engineering.…”

“…The template method is a simple and effective approach to prepare ordered porous materials with precisely defined and controlled porous structures. 15,16 Templates such as ice crystals, colloidal crystals, salts and polymer microspheres have been used. 17,18 Porous scaffolds used for tissue engineering generally require microscale pores with highly interconnected pore structures.…”

Enhanced BMP-2-Mediated Bone Repair Using an Anisotropic Silk Fibroin Scaffold Coated with Bone-like Apatite

“…In addition to optimal porosity, scaffold anisotropy has been shown to promote bone repair [ 15 ], potentially by enabling guided cell migration into the defect area [ 16 ]. Anisotropic biopolymer scaffolds can be produced via directed ice-templating techniques, yielding constructs with axially aligned pores [ 17 ]. Next to the scaffold micro- and macroarchitecture, simple and cost-effective biomimetic coatings of orthopedic implants using simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions can result in improved biocompatibility and bone regeneration [ 18 ].…”