Building 3D hydrogel platforms to modulate neural cells
Christina Tringides a b
a Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
b Department of Materials Science and Nanoengineering, Rice University, Houston, US, United States
Proceedings of Bioelectronic Interfaces: Materials, Devices and Applications (CyBioEl)
Limassol, Cyprus, 2024 October 22nd - 25th
Organizers: Eleni Stavrinidou and Achilleas Savva
Invited Speaker, Christina Tringides, presentation 022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.cybioel.2024.022
Publication date: 28th June 2024

Biomaterial scaffolds enable 3D cultures of cells which better resemble biological systems, while advancements in bioelectronics have enabled the modulation of cells. Here, we describe various materials systems which enable soft material bioelectronics. First, we fabricate porous conductive hydrogels with the same mechanical modulus and viscoelasticity as neural tissue. The mechanical and electrical properties of the material can be tuned and used to modulate the growth and differentiation of various cell types. Application of exogenous electrical stimulation can then be applied to the scaffolds to further modulate cells. To investigate the functionality of neurite networks in 3D, we combine polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructures with multielectrode arrays. We then integrate hydrogels into the PDMS microstructures, such that the hydrogel can facilitate neurons to form 3D networks while still confined by the PDMS. Both biomaterial platforms can support the growth of neuronal cells for over 8 weeks, and can be integrated into multimaterial systems to better understand neuronal development and disease.

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