Carbon nanotube-based scaffold for cell modulation
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Auditorium L5, Linnanmaa campus
Topic of the dissertation
Carbon nanotube-based scaffold for cell modulation
Doctoral candidate
Master of Science Muthusamy Saranya
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics
Subject of study
Electrical Engineering (Nanobioengineering)
Opponent
Doctor Paula Alexandrina de Aguiar Pereira Marques, University of Aveiro
Custos
Docent Gabriela Simone Lorite Yrjänä, University of Oulu
Unveiling the Power of Carbon Nanotubes in Tissue Engineering
Tissue engineering aims to repair and restore tissue function by combining cell biology and material science. However, significant challenges persist in creating scaffolds that effectively integrate materials, accurately mimic the cellular environment, and fulfill all requirements for complete tissue repair.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as promising nanomaterials in tissue engineering, particularly for modulating cartilage, cardiac, and neural tissues. As an active component in scaffolds, CNTs can provide chemical, physical and mechanical cues promoting cell adhesion, elongation and alignment. They also act as nanotransducers, enabling electrical stimulation for enhanced cell growth and functional tissue regeneration.
Despite this potential, challenges exist, including non-uniform production, dispersion, and aggregation of CNTs within composites. Concerns about electrical stimulation methods, non-biodegradability, and long-term toxicity also hinder their clinical translation. Addressing these complexities, M.Sc. Muthusamy Saranya's article-based thesis presents strategic methods and applications for safe and effective use of CNTs in scaffolds for cell modulation.
Saranya's research explores CNTs capabilities for achieving unidirectional cell orientation, aligning injectable hydrogel structures, and modulating cell behavior within polymeric scaffolds using an external magnetic field. She meticulously investigated how CNTs influence scaffold properties and cellular responses under magnetic field. "Our aim is to use CNTs to boost cues for soft tissue engineering focusing on cartilage cells.” Saranya explains.
In her doctoral thesis, Saranya successfully confirmed enhanced adhesion and unidirectional proliferation of chondrocytes on multi-walled (MW) CNT-patterned micropillars. She demonstrated the magnetic alignment of functionalized MWCNT (cMWCNT) within injectable hydrogels and fabricated cMWCNT-integrated polymeric scaffolds that showed significant chondrogenic potential under low magnetic fields. Her work also introduced a promising method for accurate CNT quantification.
These comprehensive studies are anticipated to significantly advance the development of CNT-based scaffolds for precise cell modulation, providing a reliable quantification method to ensure their safe and effective use in biological systems.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as promising nanomaterials in tissue engineering, particularly for modulating cartilage, cardiac, and neural tissues. As an active component in scaffolds, CNTs can provide chemical, physical and mechanical cues promoting cell adhesion, elongation and alignment. They also act as nanotransducers, enabling electrical stimulation for enhanced cell growth and functional tissue regeneration.
Despite this potential, challenges exist, including non-uniform production, dispersion, and aggregation of CNTs within composites. Concerns about electrical stimulation methods, non-biodegradability, and long-term toxicity also hinder their clinical translation. Addressing these complexities, M.Sc. Muthusamy Saranya's article-based thesis presents strategic methods and applications for safe and effective use of CNTs in scaffolds for cell modulation.
Saranya's research explores CNTs capabilities for achieving unidirectional cell orientation, aligning injectable hydrogel structures, and modulating cell behavior within polymeric scaffolds using an external magnetic field. She meticulously investigated how CNTs influence scaffold properties and cellular responses under magnetic field. "Our aim is to use CNTs to boost cues for soft tissue engineering focusing on cartilage cells.” Saranya explains.
In her doctoral thesis, Saranya successfully confirmed enhanced adhesion and unidirectional proliferation of chondrocytes on multi-walled (MW) CNT-patterned micropillars. She demonstrated the magnetic alignment of functionalized MWCNT (cMWCNT) within injectable hydrogels and fabricated cMWCNT-integrated polymeric scaffolds that showed significant chondrogenic potential under low magnetic fields. Her work also introduced a promising method for accurate CNT quantification.
These comprehensive studies are anticipated to significantly advance the development of CNT-based scaffolds for precise cell modulation, providing a reliable quantification method to ensure their safe and effective use in biological systems.
Last updated: 26.5.2025