Abstract
Analysis of the formation and organization of new connective tissue formed in tissue-engineered constructs is a major requirement for tissue bioreactor technology. We have analyzed early-stage responses in collagen lattices, using elastic scattering spectroscopy to assess its potential to monitor tissue structural changes in structures up to 3 mm thick, under normal culture conditions. The method is based on an optical system in which an optical fiber delivers white light onto the tissue and the back-scattered light is collected for spectroscopy by another optical fiber. Results show correlation between changes in the spectral signatures with changes in the collagen gel contraction or internal organization in all three models of collagen construct analyzed. Therefore elastic scattering spectroscopy is a promising tool to monitor tissue-engineered constructs or early repair in collagenous tissues.
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