ABSTRACT
Electrospinning is a unique, versatile, and facile approach for engineering nanofibrous scaffolds with characteristic micro to nanoscale topography and high porosity similar to the natural extracellular matrix (ECM). These nanofibrous matrices influence cellular activities both in vitro and in vivo. Biodegradable polymers used for the electrospinning can be of synthetic (PCL, PVA, PLA, PLGA, PVP, etc.) or natural (alginate, chitosan, collagen, elastin, fibrinogen, gelatin, keratin, etc.) origin. High surface to volume ratio and porous nature of the electrospun scaffolds help in the attachment of cells and incorporation of proteins, DNA, RNA, and drugs ranging from antibiotics to anticancer agents. Thus, they find promising applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound dressing, and in other areas. In this chapter, electrospinning method for the generation of nanofibrous scaffolds and its important biomedical applications are reviewed.
