Characterisation of Tissue Engineering Constructs by Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography (μCT)

In regenerative medicine it is important to be able to understand how cells are behaving in response to stimuli. The stimuli can be biological signals or materials. Raman spectroscopy allows the non-invasive real time monitoring of live cells in vitro by interpretation of spectra. Materials are being developed to use as templates (scaffolds) for tissue regeneration. The morphology of the pore structure is critical if tissue is to populate the scaffold. X-ray microcomputed tomography is the only method that can obtain 3D images of pore networks. Novel image analysis has been developed that can quantify pore networks. There is potential for this technique to be used to image tissue growth into scaffolds ex vivo. The next challenge is to adapt these two promising techniques to monitor the response of cells to porous scaffolds, including that of cells within the porous network.