Electrospun Nanofiber Applications in Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery
Summary
Electrospinning produces ultrafine polymeric fibres by applying a high voltage to a polymer solution, yielding mats or scaffolds with high porosity, large surface-to-volume ratio and tunable fibre diameters. In tissue engineering these nanofibrous scaffolds mimic the extracellular matrix, guiding cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation while permitting nutrient exchange and waste removal. Modifications in fibre alignment, porosity and composition enable tailored mechanical properties and degradation rates to match target tissues, from skin and cartilage to vascular grafts. In drug delivery, electrospun nanofibres serve as reservoirs for therapeutic agents, offering controlled and sustained release profiles. Core–sheath architectures, drug-polymer composites and surface functionalisation permit precise modulation of release kinetics, minimising burst effects and localising treatment. The integration of bioactive molecules, nanoparticles or stimuli-responsive polymers broadens applications to wound dressings, implantable devices and transdermal patches. Such multifunctional nanofibres hold global significance for regenerative medicine, chronic wound management and targeted chemotherapy, combining structural support with therapeutic delivery in a single platform.
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Electrospun Nanofiber Applications in Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrospun nanofiber applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Electrospinning: A process in which a high-voltage electric field draws a polymer solution into continuous ultrafine fibres.
Nanofibre: A fibre with diameter below 1000 nm, offering high surface area and enhanced cell–material interactions.
Scaffold: A three-dimensional fibrous or porous structure designed to support cell growth and tissue regeneration.
Core–sheath nanofibre: A bicompartmental fibre structure in which a central core is encapsulated by an outer polymer sheath for controlled release.
Coaxial electrospinning: A variant of electrospinning using concentric spinnerets to produce core–sheath or multicomponent fibres.
Biocompatibility: The property of a material to perform with an appropriate host response in a specific application.
References
- Electrospinning of nanofibers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science (2005).
- Electrospun Fibrous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering: Viewpoints on Architecture and Fabrication. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018).
- Ascorbyl palmitate/hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complex loaded nanofibrous membrane for accelerated diabetic wound healing. Interdisciplinary Materials (2024).
- Drug Delivery Applications of Core-Sheath Nanofibers Prepared by Coaxial Electrospinning: A Review. Pharmaceutics (2019).
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