Nanostructured conducting polymer scaffolds for skeletal muscle growth

The engineering of skeletal muscle requires platforms that facilitate the proliferation and maintenance of primary muscle stem cells (myoblasts) and muscle fibre maturation in a manner that reflects native muscle structure. We have been investigating the use of nanostructured conducting polymer surfaces for the orientation and electrical stimulation of cells and tissues and have developed a hybrid conducting polymer and carbon nanotube plaform, suitable for ex vivo muscle growth, differentiation and electrical stimulation.