Direct laser writing of polylactide 3D scaffolds for neural tissue engineering applications

Here, we investigate the relationship between scaffold topology and cell growth of neural cells on 3D scaffolds fabricated using Direct fs Laser Writing (DLW) of a polylactide-based material. DLW has been demonstrated as a technology for the fabrication of 3D structures with high resolution . The technique is based on the phenomenon of multi-photon polymerization. When the beam of an ultrafast infrared laser is tightly focused into the volume of a photosensitive material, the polymerization process can be initiated by nonlinear absorption within the focal volume. By moving the laser focus three-dimensionally through the photosensitive material, 3D structures can be fabricated. Recently, we explored DLW for use in the construction of biodegradable scaffolds using a poly-caprolactone based photopolymer.