Multifunctional chitosan implants for controllable protein release

Regeneration and reconnection of the injured nerves are still challenging tasks despite the stunning progress in both material development and micro-surgical procedures. Ideal implant should provide complex regenerative assistance, including physical guidance for axon outgrowth; be a reservoir for factors attracting/inducing stem cells as well as the tissue-forming factors; provide a matrix for cell attachment; be traceable; and disintegrate when the regeneration is complete. Here we are demonstrating the assembly from the set of the functional materials with defined nano- and macro-properties into the tubular implant structures called the protoconduits. These structures are well tolerated on both cell and tissue levels, slowly releasing their macromolecular cargo, traceable by MRI, and mechanically sound.