Electrospun PLGA fibre sheets incorporating fluorescent nanosensors: self-reporting scaffolds for application in tissue engineering

Abstract

Ratiometric analyte responsive nanosensors have been incorporated into electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) fibres to create self-reporting scaffolds. It has been demonstrated that the self-reporting scaffolds could be utilised to monitor microenvironment conditions without damaging the fabricated scaffold or the cells being cultured upon the construct. This presents opportunities to fully understand, monitor and optimise the growth of 3D model tissue constructs in vitro. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry