Tissue Engineering: Nanofiber Membranes with Controllable Microwells and Structural Cues and Their Use in Forming Cell Microarrays and Neuronal Networks (Small 3/2011)

The cover picture shows neurites emanating from a dorsal root ganglia that was seeded in a microwell on a nanofiber-based membrane. The simple and versatile fabrication method of the membrane, which features arrayed microwells and 1D structural cues on its surface, involves electrospinning with an array of stainless steel beads as the collector. The diameter and depth of the microwells and the distance between adjacent microwells can all be separately adjusted by varying the size, separation, and arrangement of the steel beads. Using this novel class of nanofiber-based substrates, neuronal networks and cell microarrays can be formed. The unique architecture of these electrospun nanofiber membranes may also be useful for a range of other biomedical applications. For more information, please read the Communication “Nanofiber Membranes with Controllable Microwells and Structural Cues and Their Use in Forming Cell Microarrays and Neuronal Networks” by Y. Xia and co-workers beginning on page 293.