Novel biodegradable elastomeric scaffold for tissue engineering and light scattering fingerprinting methods for testing the same
The present invention is directed to a novel biocompatible polymer that may be used in tissue engineering. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using a citric acid copolymers.
1 . A composition comprising a citric acid polyester having the generic formula (A-B-C)n, wherein
A is a linear aliphatic dihydroxy monomer;
B is citric acid,
C is a linear aliphatic dihydroxy monomer, and
n is an integer greater than 1.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein A is a linear diol comprising between about 2 and about 20 carbons.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein C is a linear diol comprising between about 2 and about 20 carbons.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein both A and C are the same linear diol.
5 . The composition of claim 4 , wherein said linear diol is 1,8, octanediol.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein A and C are different linear diols.
7 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein said linear aliphatic dihydroxy poly 1,8-octanediol co-citric acid.
8 . A substrate for use in tissue engineering comprising a citric acid polymer of any of claims 1 - 7 formulated into a cell culture substrate.
9 . The substrate of claim 1 , wherein said substrate further comprises a surface modification.
10 . The substrate of claim 1 , wherein said polymer is biodegradeable.
11 . A method of producing engineered tissue, comprising:
a. providing a biodegradable citric acid polymer of any of claims 1 - 7 ; and
b. culturing cells of said tissue on the scaffold of part (a).
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said polymer is poly 1 ,8-octanediol-co-citric acid, or a derivative thereof.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said cells are selected from the group consisting of endothelial cells, ligament tissue, muscle cells, bone cells, cartilage cells.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said engineered tissue is produced in a bioreactor.