Macroalgae-Derived Cellulose Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tissue engineering lacks effective, cost-efficient alternatives for creating microenvironments that mimic natural biochemical and physiological structures within the human body, particularly in using cellulose-based matrices derived from macroalgae as standalone scaffolds for tissue regeneration.

Innovation Solution

A decellularization process is developed to create a cellulose-based scaffold from macroalgae, specifically green macroalgae like Cladophora and Ulva species, which involves steps such as soaking in acetone, bleaching with sodium chlorite, alkali treatment, and acid treatment to remove cellular materials and nucleic acids, resulting in a fibrous structure suitable for cell adhesion and tissue regeneration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cellulose-based matrices are used as scaffolds for tissue engineering, then structural support and biocompatibility are improved, but cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacture are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs macroalgae, an abundant marine resource, as a renewable and cost-effective feedstock for cellulose production. This replaces expensive terrestrial plant sources or bacterial nanocellulose production methods, achieving both biocompatibility and cost-effectiveness through sustainable marine biomass utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the cellulose extraction parameters by using macroalgae-derived cellulose with specific crystallinity indices and surface properties. The controlled extraction process preserves beneficial surface characteristics while removing unwanted components, optimizing both biocompatibility and manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If macroalgae decellularization is used to create cellulose scaffolds, then structural integrity and fibrous morphology are improved, but process complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The decellularization process is divided into distinct sequential steps: treatment with detergent solutions to remove cellular materials, followed by nucleic acid removal steps, and finally cellulose extraction. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently while maintaining overall process manageability and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses intermediate chemical treatments and buffer solutions as mediators during the decellularization process. These intermediates facilitate the selective removal of cellular components while preserving the cellulose framework, simplifying the overall transformation from raw macroalgae to purified cellulose scaffold

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If cellulose is used as a permanent structural support, then shape stability and mechanical strength are improved, but biodegradability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates scaffolds with heterogeneous cellulose crystallinity distribution, where different regions have varying degrees of crystalline structure. This allows certain areas to maintain structural stability while other regions remain more accessible to degradation enzymes, achieving both shape stability and controlled biodegradability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines macroalgae-derived cellulose with other biocompatible materials to create composite scaffolds. This composite structure allows the cellulose component to provide shape stability while the composite nature enables tailored degradation rates through the interaction between different material phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process effectively produces biocompatible, non-toxic cellulose-based scaffolds that support cell growth and tissue regeneration, demonstrating structural integrity and biocompatibility, with the macroalgae-derived scaffolds showing potential for various biomedical applications without degradability requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a decellularization process for the preparation thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecellularization:

Data Source

PatentUS20230364302A1Cellulose scaffolds derived from macroalgae, process for the preparation thereof and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 RAMOT AT TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY LTD

AI summary

Cellulose-based scaffolds having fibrous structures, which include a decellularized macroalgae tissue from which cellular materials and nucleic acids are removed; implants including such cellulose-based scaffolds; and a decellularization process for the preparation thereof. The macroalgae tissue may be a green macroalgae tissue, a red macroalgae tissue, or a brown macroalgae tissue. The green macroalgae tissue may be a Cladophora sp. tissue; and the red macroalgae tissue may be a Bangia sp. tissue.