The role of electromagnetism in the physiology of the human body and in the healing process is well accepted. Electroactive polymers, such as electrically conducting polymers, by virtue of their susceptibility to either electrical, mechanical, optical or thermal phenomena, could be utilized as an interface between the external world and the physiological environment. In this study we have evaluated the utility of polypyrrole (PPy)-a conductive polymer, as an interactive substrate for inducing differentiation in bovine bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). It was observed, the PPy is an excellent substrate for BMSC attachment, proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, an application of an electrical stimulus (ES) to BMSC via PPy substrate was found to enhance the osteogenic commitment of these cells.
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