Microfluidic Fabrication of Natural Polymer-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications: A Review

Natural polymers, thanks to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biomimicry, have been largely investigated as scaffold materials for tissue engineering applications. Traditional scaffold fabrication methods present several limitations, such as the use of organic solvents, the obtainment of a non-homogeneous structure, the variability in pore size and the lack of pore interconnectivity. These drawbacks can be overcome using innovative and more advanced production techniques based on the use of microfluidic platforms. Droplet microfluidics and microfluidic spinning techniques have recently found applications in the field of tissue engineering to produce microparticles and microfibers that can be used as scaffolds or as building blocks for three-dimensional structures. Compared to standard fabrication technologies, microfluidics-based ones offer several advantages, such as the possibility of obtaining particles and fibers with uniform dimensions. Thus, scaffolds with extremely precise geometry, pore distribution, pore interconnectivity and a uniform pores size can be obtained. Microfluidics can also represent a cheaper manufacturing technique. In this review, the microfluidic fabrication of microparticles, microfibers and three-dimensional scaffolds based on natural polymers will be illustrated. An overview of their applications in different tissue engineering fields will also be provided.

Automated summary

Natural polymers have attracted significant attention as scaffold materials in tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility and biomimicry. Traditional scaffold fabrication methods have limitations in terms of structure homogeneity, pore size variability, and pore interconnectivity. Microfluidic platforms offer innovative and advanced production techniques that overcome these limitations, enabling the fabrication of scaffolds with precise geometry and uniform pore distribution and size. Additionally, microfluidics can provide a cost-effective manufacturing technique. This review discusses the microfluidic fabrication of microparticles, microfibers, and three-dimensional scaffolds based on natural polymers, as well as their applications in various tissue engineering fields.