Sample interview questions: How do you evaluate the performance and durability of materials for biomedical scaffolds or tissue engineering constructs?
Sample answer:
1. Material Biocompatibility Evaluation:
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Cytotoxicity Testing: Assess if the material extracts or eluates cause adverse effects on cells. Techniques include cell viability assays, cell morphology analysis, and gene expression studies.
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In Vitro Cell Culture: Evaluate cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation on the material surface. Specialized cell types, such as stem cells or tissue-specific cells, are often used.
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In Vivo Biocompatibility: Conduct animal studies to assess the material’s response within a living organism. Histological analysis and immune response monitoring are common methods.
2. Mechanical Properties Assessment:
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Tensile Strength and Modulus: Measure the material’s resistance to stretching and deformation under tensile load. This property is essential for load-bearing applications.
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Compressive Strength and Modulus: Evaluate the material’s ability to withstand compressive forces. This property is important for scaffolds that experience compressive loads, such as bone scaffolds.
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Flexural Strength and Modulus: Quantify the material’s resistance to bending and deformation. This property is relevant for scaffolds that undergo bending or flexing forces.
3. Degradation and Bioresorption:
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In Vitro Degradation Studies: Measure the material’s degradation rate in controlled laboratory conditions using enzymes or chemical solutions.
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In Vivo Degradation Studies: Conduct animal studies to assess the material’s degradation rat… Read full answer