PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATION

2023

Conductive microgel annealed scaffolds enhance myogenic potential of myoblastic cells

A tensile test divider icon

Casella A, Lowen J, et al.

Advanced Healthcare Materials

UC Davis Health, Emory University, University of California – Davis, Georgia Institute of Technology

RESEARCH SUMMARY
This study developed conductive microgel annealed scaffolds composed of PEG and PEDOT:PSS to investigate how scaffold microporosity and conductivity influence muscle regeneration. Conductive scaffolds doubled conductivity (~3.5 × 10⁻⁶ S/cm) without altering stiffness (~28 kPa), enhanced proliferation and myogenic differentiation of C2C12 and human skeletal muscle-derived cells, and promoted pro-regenerative cytokine secretion. The work highlights the synergy of electrical and mechanical cues in muscle tissue repair.
CellScale hexagons, without text

CELLSCALE INSTRUMENT USED

MicroTester

The CellScale MicroTester was used to mechanically characterize individual PEG microgels in compression to determine their elastic modulus. The instrument quantified stiffness (~28 kPa) and confirmed that adding PEDOT:PSS did not alter mechanical properties, allowing separation of mechanical and electrical effects on cell differentiation.
AUTHORS

Alena Casella; Jeremy Lowen; Nathan Shimamoto; Katherine H. Griffin; Andrea C. Filler; Alyssa Panitch; J. Kent Leach.

PUBLICATION DETAILS
JOURNAL

Advanced Healthcare Materials

YEAR

2023

INSTITUTIONS

UC Davis Health, Emory University, University of California – Davis, Georgia Institute of Technology

COUNTRIES

United States

INSTRUMENT USED

MicroTester

TESTING METHODS

Compression TestingHydrated and Temperature Controlled TestingMicro-Mechanical TestingViscoelastic & Time-Dependent Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

Cell Laden HydrogelsElectroactive and Photothermal PolymersHydrogel Mechanical TestingInjectable & Regenerative BiomaterialsMusculoskeletal Tissue Engineering & MechanicsSkeletal Muscle & Volumetric Muscle LossStem Cell Mechanobiology

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