Chronic wounds and extensive burns are major health problems worldwide. The current pharmacological and surgical treatment options have many limitations, and normally take several weeks or months to achieve wound closure. The aim of the project was to generate engineered connective tissue that could function as a dermal tissue substitute. Engineered connective tissues (ECT) in the form of rings were generated composed of collagen,  human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) and different ratios of multiwall carbon nanotubes conjugated with either chitosan (C-MWCNT) or tetraethylyene glycol (T-MWCNT).  The rings were subjected to rheological and microscopical investigations. The ECT formed successfully in the presence of the modified MWCNT. At the concentrations 0.025 and 0.05% of T-MWCNT there was an increase in the stiffness of the ECT as shown by the Young's module data. This was associated with an increase in the formation of stress fiber as shown by the fluorescence imaging. In addition, there was a reduction in the breaking stress, yield point stress and yield point strain. On the other hand with 0.1% T-MWCNT the ECTs became stiffer as demonstrated by higher Young's module. Moreover, the 0.1% T-MWCNT increased the tensile strength and the ductility of the ECT as demonstrated by the higher magnitude of the maximum stress and breaking strain respectively. Similar results were observed for C-MWCNT, with the exception that could increase the breaking stress. In conclusion, MWCNT can improve the physical properties of the ECT.

Conference Title

Symposium on Nanotechnology

Conference Country

Palestine

Conference Date

June 27, 2019 - June 28, 2019

Conference Sponsor

Palestine Academy of Science and Technology