Robust cell migration and neuronal growth on pristine carbon nanotube sheets and yarns

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have unique chemical and physical properties anticipated to enable broad novel biomedical applications. Yet the question concerning their biocompatibility remains controversial. We recently reported a method for rapidly preparing strong, highly electrically conducting sheets and yarns from multi-walled CNTs. The present studies demonstrate that highly oriented 50-nm-thick semi-transparent CNT sheets and yarns, produced with a minimal residual content of catalytic transition materials, support the long-term growth of a variety of cell types ranging from skin fibroblasts and Schwann cells, to postnatal cortical and cerebellar neurons. We show that CNT sheets stimulate fibroblast cell migration compared to plastic and glass culture substrates; entice neuronal growth to the level of those achieved on polyornithine-coated glass and can be used for directed cellular growth. These findings have positive implications for the use of CNTs in applications such as tissue engineering, wound healing, neural interfaces and biosensors.