We are a team of experts in printed electronics from Warsaw University of Technology, Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT WUT
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We are happy to announce that out collegue Łucja Dybowska-Sarapuk Ph.D. recieved funding of 138 325,00 PLN for her research regarding graphene layers for cellular growth stimulation!
In the project, printed electronics techniques will be used to print and test specifically designed biocompatible carbon (graphene) patterns that will stimulate neuronal cells to grow. The patterns will be conductive, allowing additional use of electric current stimulation. Neuronal cells are very difficult to incentivize to grow, hence we continue to struggle with the problems of regenerating the optic nerve or disrupted spinal cord. In the future, the research in the project grant may result in the advancement of medicine regarding the regeneration of damaged nerves.
The use of polymer nanocomposites is increasingly attracting interest from the scientific community, especially in the field of biomedical engineering. The growing demand for innovative solutions in the field of regenerative medicine is bringing much focus to graphene materials, which, thanks to their unique properties, are increasingly being used as cellular scaffolds to promote cell adhesion and proliferation. As an allotropic variety of carbon – graphene has a specific chemical structure, which allows for easy surface functionalization, ability to adsorb proteins, as well as the possibility of use in aqueous solutions. These incentivize eager use of the material in the field of tissue engineering. The high conductivity of graphene coatings makes it possible to use them in cellular electrostimulation, which is an effective method of regenerating damaged tissues, affecting vital cell processes such as migration, growth and reproduction. It is expected that the culture surfaces, will meet not only the necessary biological requirements, but also technical requirements such as high strength and flexibility, among others.
The goal of the project’s research work is to develop biocompatible, conductive graphene patterns made by the jet printing technique and use them as culture media and cellular electrostimulation. The key task is to match the ink composition to the technological requirements dictated by the chosen printing technique and the biological requirements, allowing the materials to be used in cell culture. The use of jet printing and developed biocompatible compositions in indirect, cell-free electrostimulation undoubtedly ranks among innovative, highly advanced techniques. The high demand for innovative tissue engineering solutions requires a multidisciplinary approach. The combination of knowledge and experience gained through years of work in the field of printed electronics allow us to propose innovative solutions in the field of tissue engineering. The experimental studies conducted will allow us to understand the phenomena occurring between neural stem cells and graphene layers, not only depending on the type of graphene flakes, but also on the geometry of the graphene pattern. The use of new materials such as graphene flakes for electrostimulation is an innovation that will allow a huge development in medicine in the future, making it possible to quickly and effectively regenerate nerve connections and to treat, until now, incurable conditions such as neuropathies or spinal cord injuries.