Polymeric scaffolds for 3D in vitro tissue modelling

In the last decades 3D cell culture systems within a polymeric matrix (scaffolds) have gained increasing interest in drug discovery and tissue engineering due to their ability in providing a more reliable biological environment for the long-term in vitro maintenance of cell phenotype. Considering the great influence of cellular microenvironment on the development and progression of healthy and tumour tissues, 3D culture models have become essential for improving cell physiology investigations. The application of innovative fabrication approaches represents a powerful route to develop 3D constructs with a variety of potential biomedical applications, such as scaffolds for in vitro 3D tissue models. Aim of the present project was the design, fabrication, and characterization of polymeric systems with predefined geometry, controlled porosity, and tailored physical-chemical properties, to be employed as scaffolds for the development in vitro of 3D tissue models. Polymeric materials to be employed for scaffold fabrication were selected among polysaccharides obtainable from renewable and sustainable resources and synthetic aliphatic polyesters, in virtue of their well ascertained biocompatibility and biodegradability. Innovative experimental protocols for materials functionalization and scaffold fabrication by means of advanced manufacturing approaches (i.e., additive manufacturing and replica moulding) were explored and employed for the development of novel polymeric prototypes.