Cell Culture on a Carbon Nanotube Scaffold

The developments of nanoscale substance such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for medical applications have attracted a great deal of attention. In the present study, an attempt was made to development of CNTs as scaffolds for cell culture. CNT scaffolds were formed on polycarbonate membranes by vacuum filtration and cell proliferation and morphology were investigated using a scanning electron microscopy. Osteoblast cells (bone-forming cell) on CNTs showed excellent proliferation with extension of cell morphology in all directions. Numerous filopodia were extended from cells toward the inside of fibrous aggregates of CNTs and tightly bound to scaffolds. These results suggest that CNTs can be used as scaffolds with excellent affinity for cell adhesion.