Enhancing Tissue Regeneration Through Semiconducting Organic and Inorganic Materials

Regenerative medicine strives to identify the mechanisms underlying regeneration of missing structures or repair of damaged tissues with the final aim to control the cells that execute these programs, that is, the endogenous stem cells. In addition, genetic and biochemical factors, acting at cell and tissue levels, and physical stimulations (heat, electric fields, light irradiation) provide pivotal instructive roles for the coordinated behavior of large tissue regions healing the wound. In the last decade bioelectrical signaling has gained an important role as a biophysical master regulator, controlling cell behaviours and driving proliferation, differentiation, migration processes. An overview on the possibility to enhance these processes through diverse physical triggers, from magnetic to optical stimulation, will be provided, using as model a small invertebrate with unique regenerative potential, the freshwater polyp Hydra vulgaris [1]. The effects played by diverse nanoparticles, i.e. inorganic <i>nanoparticles or based on conjugated polymers or carbon nanotubes </i>will be described together with the dissection of the mechanisms underlying the cell responses to the nanoparticle actuating. These results open new perspectives for the development of wireless technologies based on nanomaterials for spatio temporal control of tissue regeneration.<br/><br/><br/>[1] N. Dell’Aversano, M. L. Amenta, M. Rippa, M. Moros, A. Tino, C. Tortiglione, Optical Switchers to Manipulate Intracellular Pathways and Boost Tissue Regeneration. <i>Adv. Funct. Mater.</i> 2024, 2405400.