Nerve injury is an unfortunately common occurrence that can cause pain, loss of sensation, and even paralysis in limbs. Dr. Liqun Ning, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (MCE), will work with co-investigators Dr. Geyou Ao, an associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (CBE), and Cleveland Clinic neurosurgeon Dr. Megan Jack to better understand how to help the body repair damaged peripheral nerves through the use of tissue scaffolds. The team was awarded $500,000 in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for their project, titled ¡°Multi-functional 3D Printed Bioprinted Tissue Scaffolds with Schwann Cell Density Gradients and Electrical Conductivity for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.¡±

Repairing peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) is challenging and requires restoration of both the physical structure of the nerve and the functionality of electrical conduction of nerve signals. When the body can¡¯t heal the nerve and re-establish nerve connections, tissue scaffolds can be used to promote growth. The inclusion of Schwann cells, which support nerve cells and release growth factors that assist nerve growth, in 3-D printed tissue scaffold holds the promise of better treatment and recovery from PNI.

Drs. Ning, Ao, and Jack will utilize 3-D bioprinting methods to investigate the new materials and designs, including variations in Schwann Cell concentration, with the ultimate goal of developing tissue scaffolds with tailored biological and biophysical attributes for regenerative medicine.