Regenerated cellulose and oxidized cellulose membranes as potential biodegradable platforms for drug delivery and tissue engineering

The present invention describes the use of regenerated celluloses (RC) and (ORC) oxidized regenerated celluloses in the manufacture of scaffolds for drug delivery and tissue engineering. The RC and ORC are biodegradable and biocompatible. The carboxyl, aldehyde, or ketone groups present on the ORC scaffold serve as sites for cell, drug, protein and/or peptide attachment or further chemical modification to induce cell adhesion and subsequent proliferation. The method of manufacture of these membrane structures is simple, and produces flexible structures that maintain their strength when hydrated.