Salvatore Montesanto

Evaluation of mechanical and morphologic features of PLLA membranes as supports for perfusion cells culture systems

Porous biodegradable PLLA membranes, which can be used as supports for perfusion cell culture systems were designed, developed and characterized. PLLA membranes were prepared via diffusion induced phase separation (DIPS). A glass slab was coated with a binary PLLA-dioxane solution (8wt.% PLLA) via dip coating, then pool immersed in two subsequent coagulation baths, and finally dried in a humidity-controlled environment. Surface and mechanical properties were evaluated by measuring pore size, porosity via scanning electron microscopy, storage modulus, loss modulus and loss angle by using a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Cell adhesion assays on different membrane surfaces were also performed by using a standard count method. Results provide new insights into the foaming methods for producing polymeric membranes and supply indications on how to optimise the fabrication parameters to design membranes for tissue cultures and regeneration.

Optimization of environmental conditions for kefiran production by kefir grain as scaffold for tissue engineering

Optimization of Environmental Conditions for Kefiran Production by Kefir Grain as Scaffold for Tissue Engineering Salvatore Montesanto*, Giuseppa Calò, Margherita Cruciata, Luca Settanni, Valerio B. Brucato, Vincenzo La Carrubba a Department of Civil, Environmental, Aerospace, Materials Engineering (DICAM)University of Palermo, Viale delle Sicenze Ed. 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy. b Department of Science and Biological Thecnologies, Chemicals and Farmaceutics (STEBICEF)University of Palermo, Viale delle Sicenze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy. c Department of Agricultural and Forestry Science, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy salvatore.montesanto1985@gmail.com

Biological evaluation of PLLA membranes, with different pore diameters, to stimulate cell adhesion and growth in vitro

Polymeric membranes prepared via DIPS (Diffusion Induced Phase Separation) are widely studied and utilized as scaffolds for the regeneration of tissue. In this work, poly (L)-lactide membrane are prepared through a DIPS protocol starting from a ternary solution made of polymer, dioxane (solvent) and water (non-solvent). A three-dimensional, porous and mechanically stable membrane is desirable for ingrowth of human bronchial epithelial cells.

Design, build-up and optimization of a fast quenching device for polymeric thin film

In this work an innovative apparatus for the characterization of polymer solidification under very high cooling rates (up to thousand of K/s) is described, according to the continuous cooling transformation approach adopted in metallurgy for studying structure development in metals. The proposed model experiment is addressed to design a method for the characterization of non-isothermal solidification behaviour, encompassing typical cooling conditions of polymer processing. Only temperature history determines the structure formed, as melt solidification takes place in quiescent conditions. With respect to the device previously developed by the authors [1, 3] the present equipment presents the following features: - reduced size (30*30*20 cm); - higher heating rates, by using two electrical resistances supported on ceramic plates; - higher cooling rates, carried out through water sprays at very high pressures (120 bar); - thermal insulation of the sample from the sample holder via the application of two wave...