@article {49087,
	title = {Biodegradable and 3D printable lysine functionalized polycaprolactone scaffolds for tissue engineering applications},
	journal = {Biomaterials Advances},
	volume = {159},
	year = {2024},
	month = {MAY},
	pages = {213816},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	Tissue engineering (TE) has sparked interest in creating scaffolds with customizable properties and functional bioactive sites. However, due to limitations in medical practices and manufacturing technologies, it is challenging to replicate complex porous frameworks with appropriate architectures and bioactivity in vitro. To address these challenges, herein, we present a green approach that involves the amino acid (L-lysine) initiated polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone (CL) to produce modified polycaprolactone (PCL) with favorable active sites for TE applications. Further, to better understand the effect of morphology and porosity on cell attachment and proliferation, scaffolds of different geometries with uniform and interconnected pores are designed and fabricated, and their properties are evaluated in comparison with commercial PCL. The scaffold morphology and complex internal micro-architecture are imaged by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), revealing pore size in the range of similar to 300-900 mu m and porosity ranging from 30 to 70 \%, while based on the geometry of scaffolds the compressive strength varied from 143 +/- 19 to 214 +/- 10 MPa. Additionally, the degradation profiles of fabricated scaffolds are found to be influenced by both the chemical nature and product design, where Lys-PCL-based scaffolds with better porosity and lower crystallinity degraded faster than commercial PCL scaffolds. According to in vitro studies, Lys-PCL scaffolds have produced an environment that is better for cell adhesion and proliferation. Moreover, the scaffold design affects the way cells interact; Lys-PCL with zigzag geometry has demonstrated superior in vitro vitality (\&gt;90 \%) and proliferation in comparison to other designs. This study emphasizes the importance of enhancing bioactivity while meeting morphology and porosity requirements in the design of scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.</p>
},
	keywords = {Additive manufacturing, Amino acid, Micro-computed tomography, Polycaprolactone},
	doi = {10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213816},
	author = {Naik, Sonali S. and Torris, Arun and Choudhury, Namita R. and Dutta, Naba K. and Nair, Kiran Sukumaran}
}
@article {49549,
	title = {Optimization and mechanistic insights of zinc ascorbate catalyst for ring-opening polymerization of caprolactone using RSM methodology and DFT calculations},
	journal = {Polymers for Advanced Technologies},
	volume = {36},
	year = {2025},
	month = {APR},
	pages = {e70182},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	Polycaprolactone (PCL) is an aliphatic polyester recognized for its exceptional versatility and biodegradability, which has garnered significant attention for a wide range of applications. This study presents an innovative methodology for the synthesis of PCL through the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epsilon-caprolactone (CL). The approach employs a biocompatible and environmentally benign organometallic zinc ascorbate complex as a catalyst. Derived from ascorbic acid, a well-established reducing agent, zinc ascorbate serves as a sustainable alternative to conventional tin-based catalysts, thereby mitigating environmental impact and enhancing safety measures. The catalyst operates effectively under solvent-free conditions and does not require initiators, achieving a high polymer conversion rate of approximately 79\%. The optimization of the reaction parameters was conducted using response surface methodology (RSM) employing a central composite design (CCD). The structural and chemical characterization of the catalyst as well as the resulting polymers was performed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidated a four-step coordination-insertion mechanism for the polymerization of cyclic lactones, with findings supported by Gibbs free energy, electrostatic potential, and non-covalent interactions. This study underscores the potential of zinc ascorbate as a reliable, nontoxic, and cost-effective catalyst, fulfilling the increasing demand for sustainable and efficient polymerization processes in commercial and biomedical applications.</p>
},
	keywords = {density function theory, Polycaprolactone, Response surface methodology, ring-opening polymerization, zinc ascorbate},
	issn = {1042-7147},
	doi = {10.1002/pat.70182},
	author = {Naik, Sonali S. and Vedpathak, Shantanu and Nair, Kiran Sukumaran}
}
@article {49268,
	title = {Thrombin immobilized hemocompatible radiopaque polyurethane microspheres for topical blood coagulation},
	journal = {JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A},
	volume = {113},
	year = {2025},
	month = {JAN},
	type = {Journal Article},
	keywords = {ALGINATE MICROSPHERES, ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT, PRECISE LOCALIZATION},
	issn = {1549-3296},
	doi = {10.1002/jbm.a.37828},
	author = {Naik, Sonali S. and Torris, Arun and Ghuge, Gorakh Hiraman and Karthika, V. K. and Joseph, Roy and Nair, Kiran Sukumaran}
}
