Graphene Foam as a three-dimensional Platform for Myotube Growth.
This study demonstrates the growth and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts into functional myotubes on 3-dimensional graphene foam bioscaffolds. Specifically, we establish both bare and laminin coated graphene foam as a biocompatible platform for muscle cells and identify that electrical coupling stimulates cell activity. Cell differentiation and functionality is determined by the expression of myotube heavy chain protein and Ca2+fluorescence, respectively. Further, our data show that the application of a pulsed electrical stimulus to the graphene foam initiates myotube contraction and subsequent localized substrate movement of over 100 micrometers. These findings will further the development of advanced 3-dimensional graphene platforms for therapeutic applications and tissue engineering.
Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725, United States.
Eric
E
Krueger
Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725, United States.
A Nicole
AN
Chang
Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725, United States.
Dale
D
Brown
Biomolecular Research Center, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725, United States; Physics Department, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725, United States.
Josh
J
Eixenberger
Biomolecular Research Center, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725, United States.
Raquel
R
Brown
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725, United States.
Sepideh
S
Rastegar
Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725, United States.
Katie M
KM
Yocham
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725, United States.
Kurtis D
KD
Cantley
Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725, United States.
David
D
Estrada
C2C12; X-ray micro-CT; confocal microscopy; extracellular matrix; graphene foam; tissue engineering scaffold