Issue 8, 2021

Graphene glial-interfaces: challenges and perspectives

Abstract

Graphene nanosheets are mechanically strong but flexible, electrically conductive and bio-compatible. Thus, due to these unique properties, they are being intensively studied as materials for the next generation of neural interfaces. Most of the literature focused on optimizing the interface between these materials and neurons. However, one of the most common causes of implant failure is the adverse inflammatory reaction of glial cells. These cells are not, as previously considered, just passive and supportive cells, but play a crucial role in the physiology and pathology of the nervous system, and in the interaction with implanted electrodes. Besides providing structural support to neurons, glia are responsible for the modulation of synaptic transmission and control of central and peripheral homeostasis. Accordingly, knowledge on the interaction between glia and biomaterials is essential to develop new implant-based therapies for the treatment of neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, brain tumours, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. This work provides an overview of the emerging literature on the interaction of graphene-based materials with glial cells, together with a complete description of the different types of glial cells and problems associated with them. We believe that this description will be important for researchers working in materials science and nanotechnology to develop new active materials to interface, measure and stimulate these cells.

Graphical abstract: Graphene glial-interfaces: challenges and perspectives

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
02 Nov. 2020
Accepted
18 Janv. 2021
First published
26 Janv. 2021
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale, 2021,13, 4390-4407

Graphene glial-interfaces: challenges and perspectives

R. Fabbri, E. Saracino, E. Treossi, R. Zamboni, V. Palermo and V. Benfenati, Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 4390 DOI: 10.1039/D0NR07824G

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements