Abstract
Biomedical applications require substrata that allow for the grafting, colonization and control of eukaryotic cells. Currently available materials are often limited by insufficient possibilities for the integration of biological functions and means for tuning the mechanical properties. We report on tailorable nanocomposite materials in which silica nanoparticles are interwoven with carbon nanotubes by DNA polymerization. The modular, well controllable and scalable synthesis yields materials whose composition can be gradually adjusted to produce synergistic, non-linear mechanical stiffness and viscosity properties. The materials were exploited as substrata that outperform conventional culture surfaces in the ability to control cellular adhesion, proliferation and transmigration through the hydrogel matrix. The composite materials also enable the construction of layered cell architectures, the expansion of embryonic stem cells by simplified cultivation methods and the on-demand release of uniformly sized stem cell spheroids.
Highlights
Biomedical applications require substrata that allow for the grafting, colonization and control of eukaryotic cells
To produce the desired silica NPs (SiNP)/carbon nanotubes (CNT)-DNA nanocomposites, we employed the rolling-circle amplification (RCA) using single-stranded DNA modified SiNP and CNT that served as primers for enzymatic extension using a cyclized ssDNA template to crosslink the particles (Fig. 2a)
To synthesize the desired SiNP/CNT-DNA nanocomposite materials through RCA, the SiNP and CNT building blocks were functionalised with single-stranded DNA
Summary
Biomedical applications require substrata that allow for the grafting, colonization and control of eukaryotic cells. The data suggest that the mass transport of nutrients in SCx materials is not restricted compared to standard cell culture substrates (see discussion in Supplementary Fig. 10). 34–36), whereas control experiments with unpolymerised SiNP-P showed no comparable cell adhesion (Supplementary Fig. 37).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
