title: Core/shell nanofiber characterization by Raman scanning microscopy.
abstract: Core/shell nanofibers are becoming increasingly popular for applications in tissue engineering. Nanofibers alone provide surface topography and increased surface area that promote cellular attachment; however, core/shell nanofibers provide the versatility of incorporating two materials with different properties into one. Such synthetic materials can provide the mechanical and degradation properties required to make a construct that mimicsin vivotissue. Many variations of these fibers can be produced. The challenge lies in the ability to characterize and quantify these nanofibers post fabrication. We developed a non-invasive method for the composition characterization and quantification at the nanoscale level of fibers using Confocal Raman microscopy. The biodegradable/biocompatible nanofibers, Poly (glycerol-sebacate)/Poly (lactic-co-glycolic) (PGS/PLGA), were characterized as a part of a fiber scaffold to quickly and efficiently analyze the quality of the substrate used for tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Nanobioscience Constellation, Albany NY, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sfakis
authors.affiliation: University at Albany, SUNY, Department of Physics, Albany, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharikova
authors.affiliation: HORIBA Scientific, 3880 Park Avenue, Edison, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tuschel
authors.affiliation: University at Albany, SUNY, Department of Physics, Albany, NY, USA; Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe Xavier
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: University at Albany, SUNY, Department of Biological Sciences, Albany, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.affiliation: University at Albany, SUNY, Department of Physics, Albany, NY, USA; Dr. Alexander Khmaladze akhmaladze@albany.edu.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khmaladze
authors.affiliation: SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Nanobioscience Constellation, Albany NY, USA; Dr. James Castracane Jcastracane@sunypoly.edu.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castracane
keywords: (160.4236) Nanomaterials; (160.5470) Polymers; (180.5655) Raman microscopy; (300.6450) Spectroscopy, Raman