Selina Werner

Bachelor student

Development and Characterization of Polyaniline (PANI) Containing Fiber Mats for a Potential Application in Cardiac Tissue Engineering

 

Supervisors: M.Sc. Lena Vogt, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the most prevalent health issues in the Western world. In particular, myocardial infarctions cause a high mortality rate associated with CVD. Myocardial infarctions often result in the loss of heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) and a subsequent formation of scar tissue, as myocardial tissue does not have good regenerative properties [1]. To prevent heart failure, researchers aim to mimic the properties of natural myocardium and provide an approach to repair the diseased myocardium by using tissue-engineered scaffolds [2]. The aim of this bachelor thesis is the development and characterization of electrospun fiber mats consisting of a polyester blend with incorporated PANi. The fiber mats will be analyzed regarding their morphological, physico-chemical and degradation properties.

[1] H. Jawad, et al., Myocardial tissue engineering: a review, J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2007; 1: 327–342.

[2] Jiajia Xue, et al., Electrospinning and Electrospun Nanofibers: Methods, Materials, and Applications, Chem. Rev. 2019, 119, 5298−5415.