Axonal Alignment and Enhanced Neuronal Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells on Graphene‐Nanoparticle Hybrid Structures

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201302219
• Publication Date: 2013-07-04T10:47:39Z
• Authors: Aniruddh Solanki; Sy‐Tsong Dean Chueng; Perry T. Yin; Rajesh Kappera; Manish Chhowalla; Ki‐Bum Lee
• Keywords: Biocompatible Materials; Cell Differentiation; Oxides; 02 engineering and technology; Silicon Dioxide; Axons; 3. Good health; Neural Stem Cells; Humans; Nanoparticles; Graphite; 0210 nano-technology; Cell Proliferation

Human neural stem cells (hNSCs) cultured on graphene-nanoparticle hybrid structures show a unique behavior wherein the axons from the differentiating hNSCs show enhanced growth and alignment. We show that the axonal alignment is primarily due to the presence of graphene and the underlying nanoparticle monolayer causes enhanced neuronal differentiation of the hNSCs, thus having great implications of these hybrid-nanostructures for neuro-regenerative medicine.