M. Motezaker, E. Tiernan, J. Daniero, P.E. Hopkins
University of Virginia,
United States
Keywords: Atomic Force Microscopy, AFM, Microporous Annealed Particle, characterization, tissue repair
Summary:
Microporous Annealed Particle (MAP) scaffolds, composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) microgels, have shown significant potential in tissue engineering, particularly for mimicking the mechanical properties of native tissues such as vocal cords. This study presents a comprehensive mechanical characterization of MAP hydrogels, designed to closely align with the stiffness of vocal cord tissue. Through Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) force-displacement (F-D) measurements, we determined the elastic modulus of MAP gels, revealing values that match the mechanical properties of native vocal fold tissue. Calibration of the measurement system was performed using Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA) reference samples to ensure accurate measurement. Additionally, Brillouin scattering was used to map the mechanical properties of bulk MAP gels and tissue samples over larger areas, providing deeper insights into their structural behavior. The results demonstrate that the MAP scaffolds offer a robust mechanical match to biological tissues, supporting their suitability for regenerative applications. These findings confirm the efficacy of MAP scaffolds for tissue repair applications, particularly in vocal fold augmentation, and provide a validated framework for measuring the mechanical properties of bulk MAP gels for future biomedical uses.