Development of electroactive and magnetoelectric polymers for biomedical applications. Active materials will be developed for tissue engineering applications. It is a relatively recent paradigm the need of physical stimuli to the cells in order those to achieve not only phenotype but also functionality. In this sense, smart polymer based materials will be developed to apply mechanical and electrical stimuli to specific cells such as osteoblast and myoblast that are subjected to electromechanical stimuli during their functioning. This area also requires the development of specific bioreactors for cell culture.
Smart Scaffolds Bioreactors
Main References
Smart Scaffolds
Study of fibronectin adsorption on PVDF films: a) Monoclonal antibody binding for HFN7 on the different PVDF samples after FN adsorption from a solution of concentration 5 μg mL−1. ∗ Significantly different (p < 0.05) PVDF samples; b) AFM images phase of non-poled β-PVDF with FN adsorbed form a solution with a concentration of 2 μg mL.
Fiber alignment of poly(L-lactide) electrospun fiber mats strongly affect the hydrophobicity of the samples. The proliferation of human chondrocytes is similar in aligned and non-aligned mats but it possible observed that cells exhibited a more elongated morphology in oriented PLLA scaffolds
This work reports on the influence of polarization and morphology of electroactive PVDF (films and electrospun fibers) on the adhesion and morphology of myoblast cells. It is demonstrated that negatively charged surfaces improve cell adhesion and proliferation and that the directional growth of the myoblast cells can be achieved by culturing the cell on aligned fibers. Therefore, the potential application of electroactive materials for muscle regeneration is demonstrated.
Bioreactors
Study of the polarization influence of electroactive PVDF on the biological response of pre-osteoblastic cells cultivated under static and dynamic conditions. The results show that the surface charge under mechanical stimulation improves the osteoblast growth. Therefore, electroactive membranes and scaffolds can provide the necessary electrical stimuli for the growth and proliferation of specific cells.
Bioreactor for the production of electromechanical-stimulation of cells. With these devices it is intended to simulate the real conditions that the cells are subjected in their native environment, promoting their differentiation.
Bioreactor for the production of electromechanical-stimulation of cells. With these devices it is intended to simulate the real conditions that the cells are subjected in their native environment, promoting their differentiation.
Main References
- Enhanced viability of pre-osteoblastic cells by dynamic piezoelectric stimulation. RSC Advances. Vol. 2 (2012), p. 11504-11509.
- Effect of poling state and morphology of piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes for skeletal muscle tissue engineering. RSC Advances. Vol. 3 (2013), p. 17938-17944.
- Influence of crystallinity and fiber orientation on hydrophobicity and biological response of poly(L-lactide) electrospun mats. Soft Matter. Vol. 8 (2012), p. 5818-5825.
- Fibronectin adsorption and cell response on electroactive poly(vinylidene fluoride) films. Biomedical materials. Vol. 7 (2012), 035004.