Conducting Polymers for Tissue Regeneration in Vivo

Conducting polymers (CPs) have unique electroactive properties that have inspired significant investigation into their use as biomaterials (CP-BMs) for regenerative engineering. Their physical and optoelectronic properties, including bulk mixed electronic/ionic conduction, enable the fabrication of a multifunctional biomaterial that passively affects cellular response and modulates electric field, charge injection, or drug delivery, allowing these materials to actively affect tissue regeneration processes. While material and device dependent cellular responses have been observed in vitro, fewer studies have attempted to translate these types of materials and methods to in vivo models. In this Perspective, we assess the CP-BM literature for nerve, spinal cord, bone, and skin regeneration applications with a comprehensive look at in vivo studies, which present an informative illustration of current progress and the state of the field.