Some mammalian and bacterial cells naturally fabricate complex three-dimensional structures with intricate architectures that cannot be replicated using traditional manufacturing approaches. We are developing techniques to control these biofabrication processes by manipulating cells, using electric fields, directing them to naturally produce complex nanostructures. This gives us an unprecedented ability to control the nano-, micro-, and macro-scale properties of these biological materials.
The bacteria Acetobactor xylinum naturally (a) produce a dense random network of cellulose nanofibers. When cultured under the influence of an electric field (b), the cells are moved along field lines and produce a network of oriented fibers.
| Aligned networks of cellulose nanofibers can be produced one layer at a time in macro-scale environments such as a beaker enabling us to produce sheets large enough for mechanical testing and tissue engineering applications.
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Publications:
Patents:
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Electromagnetically controlled biological assembly of aligned bacterial cellulose nanofibers Annals of Biomedical Engineering - 2010 |
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Bacterial nanocellulose biomaterials with controlled architecture for tissue engineering scaffolds and customizable implants Bacterial NanoCellulose: A Sophisticated Multifunctional Material - 2012 |
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Electromagnetic controlled biofabrication for manufacturing of mimetic biocompatible materials US 12/996,412 - PCT/US2009/046407 - 2008 |
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Three-dimensional bioprinting of biosynthetic cellulose (BC) implants and scaffolds for tissue engineering US 13/498,657 - PCT/US2010/050460 - 2009 |
Michael B. Sano, Ph.D.
mikesano at unc.edu