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Gradients and arrays have become very useful to the fields of tissue engineering and biomaterials. Both gradients and arrays make efficient platforms for screening cell response to biomaterials. Graded biomaterials also have functional applications and make useful substrates for fundamental studies of cell phenomena such as migration. This article will review the use of gradients and arrays in tissue engineering and biomaterials research, with a focus on cellular and biologic responses.

Cell differentiation on glutaraldehyde cross-linked ovalbumin scaffolds was the main focus of this research. Salt leaching and freeze drying were used to create a three-dimensional porous structure. Average pore size was 147.84 ± 40.36 μm and 111.79 ± 30.71 μm for surface and cross sectional area, respectively. Wet compressive strength and elastic modulus were 6.8 ± 3.6 kPa. Average glass transition temperature was 320.1 ± 1.4°C. Scaffolds were sterilized with ethylene oxide prior to seeding MC3T3-E1 cells. Cells were stained with DAPI and Texas red to determine morphology and proliferation. Average cell numbers increased between 4-hour- and 96-hour-cultured scaffolds. Alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels were measured at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. Differentiation studies showed an increase in osteocalcin at 21 days and alkaline phosphatase levels at 14 days, both indicating differentiation occurred. This work demonstrated the use of ovalbumin scaffolds for a bone tissue engineering application.

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