PhD Scientific Days 2026

Poster Session 1.I - Theoretical and Translational Medicine

Fabrication, Degradation Dynamics and Mechanical Integrity of Advanced Composite Electrospun Meshes

Name of the presenter

Manikion, Kenigen

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Semmelweis University

Authors

Kenigen Manikion Dr.¹
1: Semmelweis University

Text of the abstract

Introduction:
Tissue integration within a biological host is a critical yet challenging aspect of regenerative medicine. When cell adhesion, infiltration, and migration in an implant are insufficient, the immune system may respond by forming a fibrous capsule, isolating the implant and limiting its function. To overcome this issue, researchers have focused on blend and composite materials. Polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) are widely used polymers in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, chemical stability, and affordability. However, they present limitations such as hydrophobicity, weak cell adhesion, and slow degradation. In contrast, polysuccinimide (PSI) is a versatile biopolymer known for excellent cell adhesion, strong biocompatibility, and rapid degradation. Combining these polymers offers strong potential for designing advanced materials that enhance tissue integration.
Objectives:
The objective was to fabricate electrospun meshes using different combinations of the biopolymers PCL/PSI and PLA/PSI.
Materials and Methods:
To achieve this, blend-electrospinning was used to produce polysuccinimide/polylactic acid (PSI/PLA) and polysuccinimide/polycaprolactone (PSI/PCL) meshes. The resulting meshes underwent chemical, physical, and mechanical characterization.
Results:
Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the absence of structural defects. ATR-FTIR analysis verified the presence of both polymers in the meshes. PSI/PLA fibers had an average diameter of 650 nm, while PSI/PCL fibers averaged 600 nm. The PSI/PCL mesh showed a specific loading capacity of 0.250 Nm²/g, whereas PSI/PLA reached 0.061 Nm²/g. Both meshes exhibited weight loss over time, accompanied by a gradual decline in mechanical performance, as tensile strength decreased during degradation.
Conclusion:
The blend-electrospun PSI/PLA and PSI/PCL meshes demonstrated promising potential for tissue integration. Both maintained structural integrity while degrading, with a progressive reduction in tensile strength. PSI/PCL showed higher mechanical strength than PSI/PLA. These materials provide a solid basis for future regenerative medicine applications.