Characterisation of PCL and PCL/PLA scaffolds for tissue engineering

This paper investigates the use of PCL and PCL/PLA scaffolds produced using a novel additive biomanufacturing system called BioCell Printing. PCL/PLA blends were prepared using melt blend and solvent casting techniques. Scaffolds with 0/90° architecture and 350 ?m of pore size were morphologically evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Biological tests, using osteosarcoma cell line G-63, were performed using the Alamar Blue Assay and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity. Results show that the BioCell Printing system produces scaffolds with regular and reproducible architecture, presenting no toxicity and enhancing cell attachment and proliferation. It was also possible to observe that the addition of PLA to PCL scaffolds strongly improves the biomechanical performance of the constructs. © 2013 The Authors.