Cell sources and nanotechnology for neural tissue engineering

Neural injuries resulting in loss of sensory and motor functions have less than ideal restoration due to the limited self-regenerative capacity of the nervous system. Neural tissue engineering strategies integrating cells with biomaterials are already leading to significant advancements for various neural defect repairs. In particular, stem cells with the capacity of differentiating into all relevant neural cell types essential to replace degenerated neural tissues have garnered greater interest. With regard to biomaterials, nanomaterials offer a new perspective in regenerative medicine owing to their unique physical, chemical, and biological properties which can interact with neural cells at the molecular level. In this chapter, we will discuss about various stem cells including embryonic, fetal, neonatal, and adult stem cells, their differentiation potential toward neural lineages as well as their use in engineering implantable neural grafts. We will also discuss the potential applications of various biomimetic nanomaterials such as carbon-based nanomaterials and engineered 3D nanofibrous scaffolds for neural tissue regeneration