title: Cardiomyocyte differentiation of embryonic stem cells on the surface of organic semiconductors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Electrically active supports provide new horizons for bio-sensing and artificial organ design. Cell-based electrochemical biosensors can be used as bio-microactuators, applied to the biorobotics. Microchip-based bioassay systems can provide real-time cell analysis for preclinical drug design or for intelligent drug delivery devices. In regenerative medicine, electrically active supports can be used as bio-reactors to monitor cell activity, optimize the stem cell differentiation and control cell and tissue morphology. Biocompatibility and direct interaction of the electrically active surface with the cell surface is a critical aspect of this technology.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this work embryonic stem cells (AK7 ES) have been cultivated on the surface of thin films achieved through the evaporation of two aromatic compounds (T6 and PDI-8CN2 ) of particular interest for the fabrication of organic field-effect transistors (OFET). One of the potential advantages offered by the application of OFETs as bio-electronic supports is that they represent a powerful tool for the detection of bio-signals because their electrically active surface is an organic film.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cell morphology on T6 and PDI-8CN2 surface shows to be similar to the usual cell appearance, as obtained when standard culture support (petri dish) are employed. Moreover, our experimental results demonstrate that stem cells can be lead to differentiation up to "beating" cardiomyocytes even on these electrically-active organic films.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation encourages the perspective to develop OFET-based biosensors in order to accurately characterize stem cells during the cardiac differentiation process and eventually increase their differentiation efficiency.
authors: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.sergio.caserta@unina.it
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Caserta
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Barra
authors: Genesia
authors: G
authors: Manganelli
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Tomaiuolo
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Filosa
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Cassinese
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Guido
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D019149:Bioreactors; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D048430:Cell Shape; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006576:Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / Q000737:chemistry*; D007094:Imides / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000502:physiology*; D010569:Perylene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D012666:Semiconductors; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006576:Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; D007094:Imides; D013876:Thiophenes; C521332:perylenediimide; C520246:sexithiophene; D010569:Perylene