Graphene substrates enhance optical transfection efficiency in pluripotent stem cells

Abstract

Studies directed at investigating the role of nanomaterial substrates with varying properties in tissue engineering research are essential. In this research arena, pluripotent stem cells are popular for their self renewing ability and are widely applicable as they can be specifically differentiated into different tissue cells. Availability of new biocompatible scaffold materials is a critical requirement in the tissue engineering research field. Due to its promotion of cell viability and cell proliferation, graphene has attracted much attention in this front. Remarkably, optical transfection has been previously demonstrated to successfully deliver transgenes into a host of mammalian cells and non-invasively drive pluripotent stem cell differentiation. In this work, we have capitalised upon the biocompatible properties of graphene merged with the non-invasive nature of optical transfection to significantly enhance pluripotent stem cell transfection efficiency.