Stem cell growth and migration on nanofibrous polymer scaffolds and micro-fluidic channels on Silicon-Chip

Stem cell growth and migration on nanofibrous scaffolds and micro-fluidic channels on Silicon-Chip were studied by using neural stem cells isolated from adult rats´ brain. Electrospinning and lithographic technique were used for developing nanofibrous-polylactic acid (PLA) and polyurethane (PU) based-scaffolds and micro-fluidic channels on Si-Chips respectively. Immunocytochemical and morphological analysis showed better cell-matrix interaction with profound adhesion, proliferation and migration on the developed scaffolds. Cell culture assay with microfluidic channel revealed the ability of developed channel system in guiding neuronal stem cell growth towards specified directions. These studies extend the possibility of using developed nanofibrous scaffolds and micro-fluidic channel system for future electrical signal transmission based on living neural stem cells.