Electrically Controlled "Sponge Effect" of PEDOT:PSS Governs Membrane Potential and Cellular Growth.
PSS is a highly conductive material with good thermal and chemical stability and enhanced biocompatibility that make it suitable for bioengineering applications. The electrical control of the oxidation state of PEDOT:PSS films allows modulation of peculiar physical and chemical properties of the material, such as topography, wettability, and conductivity, and thus offers a possible route for controlling cellular behavior. Through the use of (i) the electrophysiological response of the plasma membrane as a biosensor of the ionic availability; (ii) relative abundance around the cells via X-ray spectroscopy; and (iii) atomic force microscopy to monitor PEDOT:PSS film thickness relative to its oxidation state, we demonstrate that redox processes confer to PEDOT:PSS the property to modify the ionic environment at the film-liquid interface through a "sponge-like" effect on ions. Finally, we show how this property offers the capability to electrically control central cellular properties such as viability, substrate adhesion, and growth, paving the way for novel bioelectronics and biotechnological applications.
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna , viale Berti-Pichat 6/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Fabrizio
F
Amorini
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna , viale Berti-Pichat 6/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.|Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" for Integrated Studies of Bioinformatics, Biophysics and Biocomplexity , via Zamboni 67, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
Isabella
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7870-0267
I
Zironi
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna , viale Berti-Pichat 6/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Marco
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7892-6899
M
Marzocchi
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna , viale Berti-Pichat 6/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Isacco
I
Gualandi
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna , viale Berti-Pichat 6/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Maria
M
Calienni
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna , viale Berti-Pichat 6/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Tobias
T
Cramer
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna , viale Berti-Pichat 6/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Beatrice
B
Fraboni
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna , viale Berti-Pichat 6/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.|Interdepartmental Centre "L. Galvani" for Integrated Studies of Bioinformatics, Biophysics and Biocomplexity , via Zamboni 67, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
Gastone
G
Castellani
D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D011108:Polymers
D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D011108:Polymers
bioelectronic interfaces; cellular adhesion; cellular proliferation; membrane potential; organic conductive polymers; patch clamp