Home > Research > Publications & Outputs > Conducting polymer-based multilayer films for i...

Electronic data

  • fso.15.79

    Final published version, 2.86 MB, PDF document

    Available under license: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

  • supplementary_data

    Final published version, 502 KB, PDF document

    Available under license: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

  • supplementary_data_computer_program

    Final published version, 864 KB, multipart/x-zip

    Available under license: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Links

Text available via DOI:

View graph of relations

Conducting polymer-based multilayer films for instructive biomaterial coatings

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
  • John George Hardy
  • Hetian Li
  • Jacqueline K. Chow
  • Sydney Geissler
  • Austin McElroy
  • Lindsey Nguy
  • Derek S. Hernandez
  • Christine E Schmidt
Close
Article numberFSO79
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>2/11/2015
<mark>Journal</mark>Future Science OA
Issue number4
Volume1
Number of pages1
Pages (from-to)1
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Aim: To demonstrate the design, fabrication and testing of conformable conducting biomaterials that encourage cell alignment. Materials & methods: Thin conducting composite biomaterials based on multilayer films of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) derivatives, chitosan and gelatin were prepared in a layer-by-layer fashion. Fibroblasts were observed with fluorescence microscopy and their alignment (relative to the dipping direction and direction of electrical current passed through the films) was determined using ImageJ. Results: Fibroblasts adhered to and proliferated on the films. Fibroblasts aligned with the dipping direction used during film preparation and this was enhanced by a DC current. Conclusion: We report the preparation of conducting polymer-based films that enhance the alignment of fibroblasts on their surface which is an important feature of a variety of tissues. Lay abstract: Cells inhabit environments known as the extracellular matrix (ECM) which consists of a mixture of different biomolecules, and the precise composition and topographical properties are different in different tissues (e.g., bone, brain, muscle, skin). Cells interact intimately with the ECM, not only constructing the biomolecules, but assist its organization in 3D space, and its degradation (which is important for tissue remodeling); reciprocally, cells respond to the ECM (e.g., by modifying their size, shape, etc). Cellular alignment is observed in organs and tissues such as bones, muscles and skin, and this alignment is important for the healthy functioning of the organ/tissue. Here, we present a novel method of aligning cells on biomaterials, simply by applying an electrical current through the biomaterial.