Tunable Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds for Neural Cell Differentiation.

ABSTRACT: Multielectrode arrays would benefit from intimate engagement with neural cells, but typical arrays do not present a physical environment that mimics that of neural tissues. It is hypothesized that a porous, conductive hydrogel scaffold with appropriate mechanical and conductive properties could support neural cells in 3D, while tunable electrical and mechanical properties could modulate the growth and differentiation of the cellular networks. By incorporating carbon nanomaterials into an alginate hydrogel matrix, and then freeze-drying the formulations, scaffolds which mimic neural tissue properties are formed. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) incorporated in the scaffolds form neurite networks which span the material in 3D and differentiate into astrocytes and myelinating oligodendrocytes.

SUBMITTER: Tringides CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10359022 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature