Background

Methods and compositions for encapsulating core materials, e.g., materials containing drugs, have been disclosed. These methods generally involve encapsulating the core material within a micro capsule by forming a semipermeable membrane around the core material. Although a number of processes for micro encapsulation of core material have been developed, most of these processes cannot be used for pH, temperature or ionic strength-sensitive material such as viable cells because of the harsh conditions necessary for encapsulation. Thus, there is a need for improved cell storage and delivery systems which can be produced on an industrial scale, which do not have the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Technology

Bio-absorbable polymer membranes are processed by a unique electrospinning technology. The cells can be embedded into the nanostructured membrane during processing. The cell density and the morphology of the membranes can be controlled. The polymer membranes, as a scaffolding material, thus provide the support for localized cell release and growth. These cell-embedded biodegradable membranes may have wide applications in tissue engineering and gene therapy.

Advantages

- The Biodegradable membranes provides a support matrix to encapsulate virtually any type of cell (e.g. bone, skin, tissue, and stem) allowing them to be delivered into a specific area. - The cell density, the diameter of fibers, the porosity of the membrane, and the degradation period can be fully controlled by tuning processing parameters. - The cell loading efficiency can be more than 90%.

Application

Tissue engineering and gene therapy. Support matrix to encapsulate virtually any type of cell. Cell delivery top a targeted area