| Summary: | Electrospinning technologies herald the arrival of a new era in which previously unthinkable scaffolds
for tissue engineering applications will be solved efficiently. However, electrospinning techniques,
like solution electrospinning and melt electrowriting are held down by fabrications parameters,
technology limitations, and the application perse. The science of scaffolding fabrication seeks to
mimic the extracellular matrix of a particular tissue in ways that mitigates the damage or enables its
pathophysiological study. Thenceforce, scaffolds have the primordial role of not only supporting the
cells, but to replicate as close as possible the native extracellular matrix, taking into consideration the
biocompatibility, biodegradability, morphology and mechanical properties. The last two properties
are pivotal in the scaffold ́s outcome, as cells communicate with the environment, and behave in
response to external signals. In context of scaffolds ́ assembly, electrospinning fabrication parameters
should be correctly modulated, to ensure an appropriate cellular environment. In this dissertation
we attempt to tackle this concern relying on solution electrospinning and melt electrowriting
techniques. As potential tissue engineering applications, the recreation of an artificial human
trabecular meshwork and a skeletal muscle platform are developed. The mechanical and
morphological requirements of each tissue are evaluated and fabrication parameters adapted. An in
vitro human trabecular meshwork scaffold was developed and validated with human trabecular
meshwork cells ́ behavioral studies. With the development of a perfusion bioreactor human
trabecular meshwork cells react to medicaments inducing measurable pressure changes. Finally, an
attempt for skeletal muscle platform was made. This first approach enabled us the optimization of
the process for next attempts.
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