title: Conducting polymer-based multilayer films for instructive biomaterial coatings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the design, fabrication and testing of conformable conducting biomaterials that encourage cell alignment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thin conducting composite biomaterials based on multilayer films of poly(3.4-ethylenedioxythiophene) derivatives, chitosan and gelatin were prepared in a layer-by-layer fashion. Fibroblasts were observed with fluorescence microscopy and their alignment (relative to the dipping direction and direction of electrical current passed through the films) was determined using ImageJ.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fibroblasts adhered to and proliferated on the films. Fibroblasts aligned with the dipping direction used during film preparation and this was enhanced by a DC current.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report the preparation of conducting polymer-based films that enhance the alignment of fibroblasts on their surface which is an important feature of a variety of tissues.
authors.affiliation: J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Hetian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Jacqueline K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Sydney A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Geissler
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Austin B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: McElroy
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nguy
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Derek S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.affiliation: J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Christine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Schmidt
keywords: biomaterials; cellular alignment; conducting polymers