23-27 March 2026
Africa/Johannesburg timezone

In vitro characterisation of electrospun nanofibers for chronic diabetic wounds

27 Mar 2026, 11:30
20m
Oral Presentation Biomaterials Physics Biomaterials

Speaker

Sinesipho Phalaso

Description

Wound healing is a complex process that can be impaired in conditions such as diabetes, leading to chronic wounds. Advanced dressings, including nanofiber-based scaffolds, offer enhanced interaction with the wound environment and support cellular activity. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin (GEL) nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning to evaluate their potential for diabetic wound applications in vitro. Morphology was analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), while biocompatibility, porosity, water uptake, and degradability were assessed. Nanofibers supported fibroblast attachment after 24 hours of incubation and demonstrated high porosity, strong water absorption, and controlled degradation. These findings indicate that electrospun PCL/GEL nanofibers are promising candidates for chronic wound management. Future work will focus on antimicrobial drug loading to further enhance their therapeutical potential.

Primary author

Sinesipho Phalaso

Co-authors

Prof. Sathish Sundar Dhilip Kumar (University of Johannesburg) Prof. Nicolette Nadene Houreld (University of Johannesburg)

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