Bipolar electroactive conducting polymers for wireless cell stimulation. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qin, Chunyan; Yue, Zhilian; Chao, Yunfeng; Forster, Robert J.; Maolmhuaidh, Fionn Ó.; Huang, Xu-Feng; Beirne, Stephen; Wallace, Gordon G.; Chen, Jun
• Is Part Of: Applied materials today. Volume 21(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Cell stimulation -- Bipolar electrostimulation -- Conducting polymer -- Bipolar electroactive -- Wireless -- 3D Printing; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2020.100804
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-9407

Abstract

Highlights: Develop an innovative non-contact wireless electrostimulation platform, known as Bipolar ElectroStimulation (BPES). For the first time, wireless BPES of living cells with enhanced cell proliferation, differentiation and interconnection. Create a prototype for advanced wireless electrostimulation via 3D printing of novel bipolar stimulation chambers coupled. Develop conducting polymers-based bipolar electrodes suitable for an effective wireless BPES platform. Establish a new paradigm providing an attractive wireless approach to advance the field of medical applications. Abstract: Conventional organic conducting polymers (CPs)-based electrical stimulation (ES) systems have been extensively explored in modulation of cell and tissue functions for biomedical applications. Bipolar electrochemistry could offer an effective pathway to modify these ES systems into a more desirable contactless mode. In this study, we present for the first time the development of a CP-based bipolar electrostimulation (BPES) system for living cells. Polypyrrole (PPy) films with different dopants have been utilised to demonstrate reversible and recoverable bipolar electrochemical activity under a low driving DC voltage (<5.5 V). A BPES prototype enabling wireless and programmable cell stimulation has been devised using PPy co-doped with dextran sulfate (DS) and collagen (PPy-DS/collagen) as a bipolar electrode and rat pheochromocytoma cells as a model cell line. Significantly, wireless stimulation enhances cell proliferation and differentiation. The work establishes a new paradigm for the electrostimulation of living cells using CPs as the bipolar electrodes, which provides an attractive wireless approach to advance the field of medical bionics. Graphical abstract: Schematic Illustration of BPES Prototype for Wireless Nerve Cell Differentiation Image, graphical abstract