Conducting polymer-based multilayer films for instructive biomaterial coatings

John G Hardy; Hetian Li; Jacqueline K Chow; Sydney A Geissler; Austin B McElroy; Lindsey Nguy; Derek S Hernandez; Christine E Schmidt

doi:10.4155/fso.15.79

Conducting polymer-based multilayer films for instructive biomaterial coatings

Future Sci OA. 2015 Nov 2;1(4):FSO79. doi: 10.4155/fso.15.79. eCollection 2015 Nov.

Authors

John G Hardy¹, Hetian Li², Jacqueline K Chow², Sydney A Geissler¹, Austin B McElroy², Lindsey Nguy², Derek S Hernandez², Christine E Schmidt¹

Affiliations

¹ J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
² Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.

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.

Keywords: biomaterials; cellular alignment; conducting polymers.