Bioelectronics: Electromechanical Nanogenerator–Cell Interaction Modulates Cell Activity (Adv. Mater. 24/2017)

Abstract

Saos‐2 cells are cultured on top of piezoelectric nanogenerators (NGs) based on ZnO nanosheets for electrical self‐stimulation by Gonzalo Murillo, Carme Nogués, and co‐workers in article number https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201605048. Imaging by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the cells are firmly adhered to the nanosheets. The cells show excellent viability, proliferation, and differentiation. The NGs can be used to electrically self‐stimulate different types of cells, such as neurons or muscle cells, without applying a chemical or physical external stimulation, leading to future bioelectronic medicines based on cell‐targeted local electrical impulses.

Piezoelectric dressings for advanced wound healing

“…In medical treatment, the piezoelectricity of ZnO is used to produce electrical stimulation. 63,203,204 AlN, which also has the wurtzite structure, is also an inorganic piezoelectric material that has been successfully fabricated as a sensor. 205,206 There are many kinds of piezoelectric materials, from inorganic to organic, natural to synthetic.…”

Materials‐Mediated In Situ Physical Cues for Bone Regeneration

“…Nanostructured ZnO layers can generate a local electric field in response to cellular mechanical forces, enhancing the biochemical activity of human saos‐2 osteoblast‐like cells without applying chemical or physical external stimulation. [ 164 ] Moreover, piezoelectric KNN ceramics were used to create microscale piezoelectric zones to mimic the piezoelectricity distribution in natural bone, and as a result, the microscale piezoelectric zones promoted osteogenic differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. [ 165 ]…”

“…These two conditions cause a Ca 2+ transient that activates the cytoskeletal calmodulin, promoting cell differentiation and proliferation. [ 142b,164,196 ] Meanwhile, electrical stimulation can influence the distribution, expression, or conformation of transmembrane proteins, influencing relevant intracellular signaling pathways in cell migration or differentiation via ligand‐receptor binding. [ 197 ] Integrins are also sensitive to the changes in the ECM altered by electrical stimulation, including changes in protein structures and charges.…”

In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility assessment of chalcogenide thermoelectrics as implants

“…Piezoelectric materials, which can convert mechanical stress to electricity, have found diverse practical applications in biomedicine, 5 such as ultra-sensitive biosensing technologies 6 and bone tissue regeneration. 2,7 Moreover, photoelectric materials, which are capable of transforming light energy to electrical energy, offer a reliable route for the precision control of cellular activities and neuronal discharges. 8 Thermoelectric materials, leveraging their attribute of converting temperature differences into electric power, have potential in a wide spectrum of anticipated biomedical applications.…”