Electrically Conducting Polymer-Based Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications

Conducting polymers are attractive biomaterials for tissue engineering applications as they can deliver electrical signals to cells for the regeneration of injured tissues. To make conducting materials relevant and effective as tissue engineering scaffolds, incorporation of three-dimensional features and contact guidance cues into conducting polymers would be desirable. Recent studies have demonstrated the development of conducting nanofibrous scaffolds, which can simultaneously provide both electrical and topographical cues to cells. These materials can be further modified to deliver biological signals to promote cell growth and differentiation of various types of cells. This review highlights recent progress in fabrication of electrically conducting polymer-based nanofibers and their applications as potential tissue engineering scaffolds.