Printable alginate/gelatin hydrogel reinforced with carbon nanofibers as electrically conductive scaffolds for tissue engineering. 2021

Aleksandra Serafin, and Caoimhe Murphy, and Mario Culebras Rubio, and Maurice N Collins
School of Engineering, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.

Shortages of organs and damaged tissues for transplantation have prompted improvements in biomaterials within the field of tissue engineering (TE). The rise of hybrid hydrogels as electro-conductive biomaterials offers promise in numerous challenging biomedical applications. In this work, hybrid printable biomaterials comprised of alginate and gelatin hydrogel systems filled with carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were developed to create electroconductive and printable 3-D scaffolds. Importantly, the preparation method allows the formation of hydrogels with homogenously dispersed CNFs. These hybrid composite hydrogels were evaluated in terms of mechanical, chemical and cellular response. They display excellent mechanical performance, which is augmented by the CNFs, with Young's moduli and conductivity reaching 534.7 ± 2.7 kPa and 4.1 × 10-4 ± 2 × 10-5 S/cm respectively. CNF incorporation enhances shear-thinning behaviour, allowing ease of 3-D printing. In-vitro studies indicate improved cellular proliferation compared to controls. These conductive hydrogels have the potential to be used in a myriad of TE strategies, particularly for those focused on the incorporation of electroconductive components for applications such as cardiac or neuronal TE strategies.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002244 Carbon A nonmetallic element with atomic symbol C, atomic number 6, and atomic weight [12.0096; 12.0116]. It may occur as several different allotropes including DIAMOND; CHARCOAL; and GRAPHITE; and as SOOT from incompletely burned fuel. Carbon-12,Vitreous Carbon,Carbon 12,Carbon, Vitreous
D005780 Gelatin A product formed from skin, white connective tissue, or bone COLLAGEN. It is used as a protein food adjuvant, plasma substitute, hemostatic, suspending agent in pharmaceutical preparations, and in the manufacturing of capsules and suppositories. Gelafusal
D000464 Alginates Salts and esters of ALGINIC ACID that are used as HYDROGELS; DENTAL IMPRESSION MATERIALS, and as absorbent materials for surgical dressings (BANDAGES, HYDROCOLLOID). They are also used to manufacture MICROSPHERES and NANOPARTICLES for DIAGNOSTIC REAGENT KITS and DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS. Alginate,Alginic Acid, Barium Salt,Alginic Acid, Calcium Salt,Alginic Acid, Copper Salt,Alginic Acid, Potassium Salt,Alginic Acid, Sodium Salt,Alloid G,Barium Alginate,Calcium Alginate,Calginat,Copper Alginate,Kalrostat,Kalrostat 2,Kaltostat,Potassium Alginate,Sodium Alginate,Sodium Calcium Alginate,Vocoloid,Xantalgin,poly(Mannuronic Acid), Sodium Salt,Alginate, Barium,Alginate, Calcium,Alginate, Copper,Alginate, Potassium,Alginate, Sodium,Alginate, Sodium Calcium,Calcium Alginate, Sodium
D054457 Tissue Scaffolds Cell growth support structures composed of BIOCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS. They are specially designed solid support matrices for cell attachment in TISSUE ENGINEERING and GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION uses. Tissue Scaffolding,Scaffold, Tissue,Scaffolding, Tissue,Scaffoldings, Tissue,Scaffolds, Tissue,Tissue Scaffold,Tissue Scaffoldings
D057139 Nanofibers Submicron-sized fibers with diameters typically between 50 and 500 nanometers. The very small dimension of these fibers can generate a high surface area to volume ratio, which makes them potential candidates for various biomedical and other applications. Nanofiber
D020100 Hydrogels Water swollen, rigid, 3-dimensional network of cross-linked, hydrophilic macromolecules, 20-95% water. They are used in paints, printing inks, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) Hydrogel,In Situ Hydrogel,In Situ Hydrogels,Patterned Hydrogel,Patterned Hydrogels,Hydrogel, In Situ,Hydrogel, Patterned
D023822 Tissue Engineering Generating tissue in vitro for clinical applications, such as replacing wounded tissues or impaired organs. The use of TISSUE SCAFFOLDING enables the generation of complex multi-layered tissues and tissue structures. Engineering, Tissue

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