TY - JOUR TI - Carbon nanotube composite scaffolds for differentiation of human neural stem cells DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3XP73H0 PY - 2013 AB - Carbon nanotubes have been utilized in a variety of fields due to their unique and extraordinary properties. Here, a process to incorporate single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) into electrospun polymer mats is investigated in order to create novel composite scaffolds to enhance the differentiation of human neural stem cells (hNSCs) into fully developed neurons. An electrowetting method is first explored using a potential difference as a driving force. Although successful wetting was achieved, a vacuum impregnation method was used to further improve the uniformity of the SWNT distribution in the scaffold. This process produced homogenously wetted scaffolds that are electrically conductive, mechanically robust, and highly biocompatible with hNSC cultures in vitro. These scaffolds showed an increased expression of two major neuronal markers, Neurofilament M (NFM) and microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) compared to plain electrospun polymer scaffolds. During differentiation tests, an additional electrical stimulation was applied and showed even further enhancement. This is the first demonstration of electrical stimulation enhancing neuronal differentiation of human neural stem cells on CNT-based composite scaffolds. KW - Chemical and Biochemical Engineering KW - Neural stem cells KW - Nanotubes KW - Nanomedicine LA - eng ER -