Electro and magnetically active polymer-based hybrid microenvironments for muscle tissue engineering

Abstract

An arrangement of cells in an adequate support has been shown to be the best way to mimic the natural microenvironment of tissues. Polymer structures have become the most suitable materials to create this support structure due to their tailorable properties and multifunctional properties. In fact, electro- and magnetoactive polymer based materials are increasingly being used to develop active microenvironments for cell stimulation.This work focuses on the study and development of polymer-based hybrid materials, functionalized with ionic liquids or magnetoelectric particles, to be used as scaffolds for the treatment of tissue injuries, defects and degenerative diseases, using concepts and technologies from the fields of tissue engineering, nanotechnology, physics, chemistry and biology.Various polymer materials and morphologies were processed and characterized, with and without either ionic liquids or magnetoelectric particles. They were tested in in-vitro conditions, to evaluate any possible toxic effects, and when relevant, their mechanical properties and degradability were assessed as well.