Numerical Model for Predicting Mechanical Properties of Cell Encapsulated Hydrogel Scaffolds

The development of biomaterial surfaces that allowcell attachment for viability and growth is highly important inthe field of tissue engineering. The biomaterials are used in the development of structures to provide a supporting frameworkand also to provide a controlled spatial distribution of cellswhich could guide tissue formation. Designing scaffolds that canengineer tissue growth by tuning the geometry, mechanical properties or chemical properties of the material is of primary importance. Quantitative analysis of the mechanical characteristics of the scaffold material provides important information for controlling cell behavior and the processes involved in incorporating the cells into the scaffolds for directing cellular responses and tissue formation. This paper discusses themodeling processes and design parameters required for mechanical characterization of cell encapsulated 3D scaffolds.