Nano-fiber scaffold electrodes based on PEDOT for cell stimulation

Electronically conductive and electrochemically active 3D-scaffolds based on electrospun poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nano-fibers are reported. Vapour phase polymerization was employed to achieve an uniform and conformal coating of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with tosylate (PEDOT:tosylate) on the nano-fibers. The PEDOT coatings had a large impact on the wettability, turning the hydrophobic PET fibers super-hydrophilic. SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were grown on the PEDOT coated fibers. The SH-SY5Y cells adhered well and showed healthy morphology. These electrically active scaffolds were used to induce Ca2+ signalling in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. PEDOT:tosylate coated nano-fibers represent a class of 3D host environments that combines excellent adhesion and proliferation for neuronal cells with the possibility to regulate their signalling.Original Publication:Maria Bolin, Karl Svennersten, Xiangjun Wang, Ioannis S Chronakis, Agneta Richter-Dahlfors, Edwin Jager and Magnus Berggren, Nano-fiber scaffold electrodes based on PEDOT for cell stimulation, 2009, SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL, (142), 2, 451-456.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2009.04.062Copyright: Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam.http://www.elsevier.com