Novel polymer constructs for controlled release and presentation of topographic cues in support of neuronal cells

In order to improve nerve healing, a new treatment that uses conductive polymer scaffolds to bridge gaps between damaged nerve ends and deliver drugs controllably was explored. In order to optimize neuron growth across scaffolding a neuronal scaffold designed with an electrically conductive polymer, polypyrrole (PPy), will be used as a substrate to enhance nerve cell interaction in vitro. The polymer will be analyzed for the capacity to influence cellular phenotype, including via controlled biomolecular delivery and surface topography. This thesis showed that all these concepts are possible and begins to optimize these characteristics. Successfully optimization of these scaffold characteristics will provide a novel method for treating injury in the central nervous system.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Ediriwickrema Asiri (Asiri S.)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Robert Langer and Rajiv Saigal.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/45798

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/45798