EB differentiation on polymer fiber scaffolds in the presence of DMH1.

<p>EBs with and without DMH1 treatment were stained for SERCA2a, an indicator of active Ca²⁺ transient. EBs on 4%PEG-86%PCL-10%CPCL exhibited enhanced expression of SERCA2a, compared to untreated EBs on PCL scaffolds or glass alone. Scale bars = 50 µm.</p

EB attachment and protein expression.

<p>(<b>a</b>) Phase contrast and fluorescence images of EBs are shown at day 10. Cells were cultured on gelatin coated glass cover slips with and without 4%PEG-86%PCL-10%CPCL copolymer scaffolds. Cells grown on 4%PEG-86%PCL-10%CPCL maintained more adhered, circular EBs and (<b>b</b>) exhibited higher α-MHC protein expression. Scale bars = 10 µm. * <i>p</i><0.0005 versus control.</p

Schematic representation of polymer synthesis PEG-PCL block copolymers were first synthesized by ring-opening polymerization.

<p>CPCL was then randomly added within the PCL subunit. Polymers are abbreviated <i>x</i>%PEG-<i>y</i>%PCL-<i>z</i>%CPCL.</p

Characterization of polymer properties.

<p>M_n was measured by GPC according to dn/dc light scattering values. Wet and dry moduli were calculated from stress/strain measurements.</p>a<p>Molecular weight measured by GPC in THF,</p>b<p>Measured on a uniaxial Bose ElectroForce 3100 mechanical tester,</p>c<p>Measured by DMA.</p