Designs of Biomaterials and Microenvironments for Neuroengineering

Abstract

Recent clinical research on neuroengineering is primarily focused on biocompatible materials, which can be used to provide electroactive and topological cues, regulate the microenvironment, and perform other functions. Novel biomaterials for neuroengineering have been received much attention in the field of research, including graphene, photonic crystals, and organ-on-a-chip. Graphene, which has the advantage of high mechanical strength and chemical stability with the unique electrochemical performance for electrical signal detection and transmission, has significant potential as a conductive scaffolding in the field of medicine. Photonic crystal materials, known as a novel concept in nerve substrates, have provided a new avenue for neuroengineering research because of their unique ordered structure and spectral attributes. The “organ-on-a-chip” systems have shown significant prospects for the developments of the solutions to nerve regeneration by mimicking the microenvironment of nerve tissue. This paper presents a review of current progress in the designs of biomaterials and microenvironments and provides case studies in developing nerve system stents upon these biomaterials. In addition, we compose a conductive patterned compounded biomaterial, which could mimic neuronal microenvironment for neuroengineering by concentrating the advantage of such biomaterials.

Microtopographical patterns promote different responses in fibroblasts and Schwann cells: A possible feature for neural implants

“…The use of microtopographical patterns have been reported to promote the regeneration of peripheral nerves (Farrukh, Zhao, & del Campo, 2018; Gomez, Lee, Nickels, & Schmidt, 2007; Thomson et al, 2017; Y. Yang, Zhang, Chai, & Gu, 2018). During axonal regeneration, different cell types in the nerve undergo dynamic changes that are controlled by external cues.…”

“…The use of microtopographical patterns have been reported to promote the regeneration of peripheral nerves (Farrukh, Zhao, & del Campo, 2018;Gomez, Lee, Nickels, & Schmidt, 2007;Thomson et al, 2017;Y. Yang, Zhang, Chai, & Gu, 2018).…”

A Neurophysiological Study of Musical Pitch Identification in Mandarin-Speaking Cochlear Implant Users

“…However, the mammals only have very limited HC regeneration ability; most of the damaged HCs cannot be spontaneously regenerated, which make the HC loss and hearing loss to be irreversible [58][59][60][61][62]. CIs are the most efficient clinical therapeutic devices for sensorineural deafness patients, and recent studies have shown that application of CI-based electric acoustic stimulation together with multiple biomaterials also can promote the differentiation of neural stem cell [63][64][65][66] and promote maturation of spiral ganglion neuron [67][68][69][70]. However, the neurophysiological study of musical pitch identification in CI users is still lacking in the hearing research field.…”

A Polydopamine-Functionalized Carbon Microfibrous Scaffold Accelerates the Development of Neural Stem Cells

“…These studies have shown that PDA-modified biomaterials can stimulate neurons and guide axonal extension even in the absence of some functions such as conductivity, topography, and microenvironment control. However, as Yang et al ( 2018 ) proposed, the existing studies have not considered adding such factors together to regulate NSC growth behavior and thus identify more efficient and economical methods for use in NTE. Therefore, the combination of a PDA functionalized scaffold and carbonized electrospun fiber with unique electrochemical properties might be a new strategy for the design of biomaterials and microenvironments for NTE.…”