In this rubric we present you scientific news from the world of chitin and chitosan. Monthly you can find recent publications. We hope to arouse your interest in this biopolymer or to help you out. If you have any comments or if you do chitin or chitosan research and you want to publish your article on this page,
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Imitating natural drive systems is a major challenge in robotics. One approach to this is polymer hydrogels that contain chitosan, for example, and can be spun into fibers using electrospinning.
Cancer is difficult to treat due to its early immune invasion and metastasis. In the study presented here, the frequently used chemotherapeutic drugs 5-flourouracil and cisplatin are encapsulated in TPP cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles and their in vitro anti-cancer effect is investigated.
Bone tissue regeneration using artificial scaffolds on which bone cells, such as osteoblasts, can grow is a relatively new approach to repair bone fractures or bone decomposition due to disease. In the work presented, a simple method is introduced to make aerogels from chitosan. These could be suitable as scaffolds for bone cells.
chitosan, tissue engineering, bone tissue regeneration, aerogels
Wearable electrodes, which are used to measure a variety of bodily functions, generate electronic waste and, in the case of implants, require extensive removal. The presented study introduces a fully decomposable material mixture with chitosan that can withstand exercise and sweat even under high physical stress.
Artificial nerve conduits are used for peripheral nerve damage, but still have some disadvantages compared to autologous cells, such as lack of neurotrophic factors. In the presented study, a nerve conduit made of chitosan, collagen and Schwann cells is used to repair damage to the sciatic nerve of mice, thus providing a simpler alternative to the complex autologous nerve transplantation.
Chitosan bioglass networks can be used as biomaterials in medicine, for example, as bone implants. Their physiochemical and mechanical properties can be improved by crosslinkers and various stabilization methods. In the presented study, six of them were compared with each other.