Gene

Cell biology

Neuroscience

Biology

Biomedical engineering

Materials science

Layer (electronics)

Stem cell

Tissue engineering

Multielectrode array

Neural stem cell

Regeneration (biology)

Neural tissue engineering

Stimulation

Biochemistry

Neural cell

Physical chemistry

Nanotechnology

Microelectrode

Embryonic stem cell

PEDOT:PSS

Neural development

Regenerative medicine

Medicine

Chemistry

Cell

Electrode

Advanced Healthcare Materials

Electricity is important in the physiology and development of human tissues such as embryonic and fetal development, and tissue regeneration for wound healing. Accordingly, electrical stimulation (ES) is increasingly being applied to influence cell behavior and function for a biomimetic approach to in vitro cell culture and tissue engineering. Here, the application of conductive polymer (CP) poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) pillars is described, direct‐write printed in an array format, for 3D ES of maturing neural tissues that are derived from human neural stem cells (NSCs). NSCs are initially encapsulated within a conductive polysaccharide‐based biogel interfaced with the CP pillar microelectrode arrays (MEAs), followed by differentiation in situ to neurons and supporting neuroglia during stimulation. Electrochemical properties of the pillar electrodes and the biogel support their electrical performance. Remarkably, stimulated constructs are characterized by widespread tracts of high‐density mature neurons and enhanced maturation of functional neural networks. Formation of tissues using the 3D MEAs substantiates the platform for advanced clinically relevant neural tissue induction, with the system likely amendable to diverse cell types to create other neural and non‐neural tissues. The platform may be useful for both research and translation, including modeling tissue development, function and dysfunction, electroceuticals, drug screening, and regenerative medicine.

Human Neural Tissues from Neural Stem Cells Using Conductive Biogel and Printed Polymer Microelectrode Arrays for 3D Electrical Stimulation