Biocompatibility of biodegradable semiconducting melanin films for nerve tissue engineering.

ABSTRACT: The advancement of tissue engineering is contingent upon the development and implementation of advanced biomaterials. Conductive polymers have demonstrated potential for use as a medium for electrical stimulation, which has shown to be beneficial in many regenerative medicine strategies including neural and cardiac tissue engineering. Melanins are naturally occurring pigments that have previously been shown to exhibit unique electrical properties. This study evaluates the potential use of melanin films as a semiconducting material for tissue engineering applications. Melanin thin films were produced by solution processing and the physical properties were characterized. Films were molecularly smooth with a roughness (R(ms)) of 0.341 nm and a conductivity of 7.00+/-1.10 x 10(-5)S cm(-1) in t

SUBMITTER: Bettinger CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4059055 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature