Scaffold Modification
Wicking cellulose scaffolds were manufactured by a proprietary ”slit and expanded” chemical/mechanical process causing formation of a honeycomb structure with simultaneous heightened airflow and liquid wicking. Amine-modified cellulose scaffolds were manufactured by derivatizing the unmodified cellulose with sodium (meta) periodate followed by a solution of ethylenediamine dihydrochloride, borax and sodium borohydride. Hydroxyl-modified scaffolds were prepared by immersing unmodified scaffolds in 1% NaOH solution for 1 hour at 100° C, followed by 3 washes in each distilled water and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and air drying overnight. All three scaffolds, unmodified (U), amine-modified (A) and NaOH-modified (N) were also immersed in 1% gelatin solution for 2 hours in room temperature, followed by air drying overnight to yield UG, AG and NG scaffolds, respectively.