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Presentation date

Summer 8-6-2026

College, Institute, or Department

Biomedical Engineering and Science Research - Musculoskeletal Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Sangamesh Gurappa Kumbar

Research Mentor

Dr. Sangamesh Gurappa Kumbar

Abstract

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) remains a major clinical challenge because skeletal muscle possesses limited regenerative capacity following severe injury, and there are currently no clinically approved biological agents capable of restoring functional muscle tissue. Therefore, the development of alternative regenerative strategies that locally stimulate endogenous repair mechanisms is of significant interest. In this preliminary study, we investigated electrospun PCL/cellulose acetate nanofiber scaffolds as localized delivery platforms for two novel small molecules, SK5 and SK4, which are hypothesized to enhance skeletal muscle regeneration through electrochemical signaling and activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. C2C12 myoblasts were cultured on the nanofiber scaffolds, and cellular responses were evaluated using cell viability, proliferation, DNA quantification, cell morphology, and myogenic differentiation assays. The scaffolds demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility and supported cell attachment and growth. Preliminary findings indicate that localized delivery of the therapeutic molecules promotes myogenic differentiation, with responses comparable to or exceeding those achieved using conventional pro-myogenic stimulation. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using electrospun nanofibers for sustained local delivery of regenerative small molecules while simultaneously providing a biomimetic microenvironment for muscle repair. Overall, this work establishes a promising platform for a multifunctional biomaterial platform that integrates structural support, localized drug delivery, and bioactive signaling to enhance skeletal muscle regeneration and warrants further mechanistic and in vivo investigation.

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Keywords

Skeletal Muscle Regeneration, Volumetric Muscle Loss (VML), Electrospun Nanofiber Scaffolds, Polycaprolactone (PCL), Cellulose Acetate (CA), Halloysite Nanotubes (HNTs), Sustained Drug Release, Drug Delivery, C2C12 Myoblasts, Cell Viability, Cell Proliferation, Myotube, Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials

Skeletal Muscle Regeneration: Electrospun Nanofiber Matrix for Delivery of Novel Myogenic Agents

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