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Updated: Oct 25, 2025
Preparation and Characterization of Graphene-Based 3D Biohybrid Hydrogel Bioink for Peripheral Neuroengineering
Published on: May 16, 2022
A facile approach for the development of high mechanical strength 3D neuronal network scaffold based on chitosan and
Pietro Arnaldi1, Donatella Di Lisa1, Lorenza Maddalena2
1Dipartimento di Informatica, Bioingegneria, Robotica e Ingegneria dei Sistemi, Università degli studi di Genova, Via All'Opera Pia 13, 16145 Genoa, Italy.
Abstract:
In this work, novel composite microparticles based on chitosan (CHI) and graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) were developed as 3D scaffolds for neuronal cells. The aim is to improve the scaffold strength while maintaining its ability to sustain cell adhesion and differentiation. An air-assisted jetting technique followed by physical crosslinking is employed to obtain CHI/GNP microparticles. Optical and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy micrographs showed a uniform distribution of GNP within the CHI porous matrix. The presence of GNP turned out to improve the strength of the microparticles while conferring good electrical conductivity and ameliorating their stability in aqueous environment. The morphological and immunocytochemical characterization, combined with a preliminary electrophysiological analysis, evidenced the effectiveness of the developed composite microparticles as a scaffold for neuron growth. These scaffolds could be employed for the development of advanced 3D neuronal in vitro models for networks dynamics analysis and drug screening.
