Exploring the Link Between Surface Physicochemistry of Cellulose-Based Scaffold and Cellular Activity for Sustainable Tissue Engineering

Several studies have shown functional cell behavior on cellulose-based scaffolds for tissue engineering; however, the link between the cellulose surface physicochemistry and these behaviors is not well identified, reported, or studied. This literature review compiled reports that measured cellulose-cell interaction studies and looked for the main surface properties aiming to link behavior with physicochemical properties. This search reveals key gaps, including missing baseline material characterization prior to composite generation or 3D assembly. It also shows that most studies rely on suspension and bulk analyses that fail to capture the cell-material interface. These omissions hinder mechanistic interpretation of protein adsorption, integrin engagement, and downstream signaling. Finally, we propose the use of interface sensitive techniques such as quartz microbalance and dissipation (QCM-D) and multiparametric surface plasmon resonance (MP-SPR) to establish rigorous characterization frameworks and enable the rational design of next generation cellulose biomaterials.