Journal article
A Conducting-Polymer Platform with Biodegradable Fibers for Stimulation and Guidance of Axonal Growth
Anita F Quigley, Joselito M Razal, Brianna C Thompson, Simon E Moulton, Magdalena Kita, Elizabeth L Kennedy, Graeme M Clark, Gordon G Wallace, Robert MI Kapsa
ADVANCED MATERIALS | WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH | Published : 2009
Abstract
A biosynthetic platform composed of a conducting polypyrrole sheet embedded with unidirectional biodegradable polymer fibers is described (see image; scale bar = 50 µm). Such hybrid systems can promote rapid directional nerve growth for neuro-regenerative scaffolds and act as interfaces between the electronic circuitry of medical bionic devices and the nervous system.
Grants
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the Australian Research Council (ARC) for funding of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), a Federation Fellowship to G.G.W., and an Australian PostDoctoral Fellowship to J.M.R. The authors also thank the ACES Bionics Group for helpful discussions.