Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Electrical fields play important roles in a multitude of biological processes, which has inspired the development of electroactive biomaterials (e.g. bionic ears/eyes, cardiac pacemakers, neural electrodes), some of which have been clinically translated. The tuneable properties of conducting electroactive polymers (CPs or EAPs, respectively) such as derivatives of polyaniline, polypyrrole or polythiophene make them attractive components of biomaterials for drug delivery devices, electrodes or tissue scaffolds. With a view to develop conducting polymers for drug delivery, we have developed solution processable polymers (e.g. block copolymers, supramolecular polymers) on a multigram scale, loaded them with a clinically relevant drug and studied its delivery in the absence/ presence of electrical stimulation, and such systems offer a route to triggering the delivery in response to electricity. Likewise, with a view to develop tissue scaffolds, we have developed polymer-based materials with various morphologies (e.g. films, fibers, foams) that were electrically conductive with derivatives of polypyrrole or polythiophene. The cells were cultured (human stem cells, human fibroblasts, or rat Schwann cells) thereon and their behaviour was studied in the absence/presence of electrical stimulation, observing enhancement of stem cell differentiation towards osteogenic outcomes, or increased nerve growth factor production from Schwann cells, when exposed to electrical stimuli. I will present the most recent developments from my group.

Biography

Email: j.g.hardy@lancaster.ac.uk