Creating multifunctional hydrogel scaffolds that combine gradient conductivity with patterned morphologies to mimic the extracellular matrix and modulate neuronal behavior remains challenging. This study developed a conductive, morphology-gradient hydrogel using an electrophoresis-based strategy. A thermosensitive polyisocyanopeptide (PIC) hydrogel served as the matrix, while graphene oxide nanosheets (GO) migrated under an electric field, forming a continuous gradient. This gradient enabled spatially varying conductivity, microstructure, and fiber alignment. Adjusting field strength and electrode configuration allowed precise control over GO distribution and patterned morphologies. SH-SY5Y cells aligned along the gradient, with higher GO regions promoting greater cell circularity and smaller cell areas than low-GO regions and controls. This work provides new insights into designing programmable multigradient conductive hydrogels, holding strong potential for advancing neural tissue engineering.
Shi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.