Conductive Polymers : Electrical Interactions in Cell Biology and Medicine

This book is dedicated to the field of conductive polymers, focusing on electrical interactions with biological systems. It addresses the use of conductive polymers as the conducting interface for electrical communications with the biological system, both in vitro and in vivo. It provides an overview on the chemistry and physics of conductive polymers, their useful characteristics as well as limitations, and technologies that apply conductive polymers for medical purposes. This groundbreaking resource addresses cytotoxicity and tissue compatibility of conductive polymers, the basics on electromagnetic fields, and commonly used experimental methods. Readers will also learn how cells are cultured in vitro with conductive polymers, and how conductive polymers and living tissues interact electrically. Throughout the contents, chapter authors emphasize the importance of conductive polymers in biomedical engineering and their potential applications in medicine.

Dr. Ze Zhang is a full professor of the Department of Surgery at Laval University and a senior researcher in the Division of Regenerative Medicine of CHU in Quebec City. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Chengdu University of Science & Technology (now Sichuan University) in 1982 and 1984, and then a PhD degree in experimental medicine from Laval University in 1993. After a postdoctoral training in Japan he returned to Laval University in 1995. Dr. Ze Zhang’s main research focuses are cardiovascular implants and tissue repair using synthetic polymers and electrical stimulation. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and 4 book chapters.

Dr. Mahmoud Rouabhia is a full professor at the Faculty of Dentistry of Laval University. He is a senior scientist in the field of Immunologyimmunology, cell biology, and tissue engineering. He got his PhD in France, followed by a postdoctoral training for four years in Canada. Dr. Rouabhia research interest includes studying the interaction between human cells biomaterials and electrical stimulation for better wound healing. Dr. Rouabhia has more than 130 peer-reviewed scientific publications. He also published over 15 book chapters/review articles, and two patents. He is the editor/coeditor of two books in the field of tissue engineering and wound healing.

Dr. Simon E. Moulton is a full professor of Biomedical Electromaterials Science in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology at Swinburne University of Technology. He completed his PhD at the University of Wollongong in 2002 and has developed a substantial research track record in the synthesis and fabrication of organic conducting materials for use in a variety of biomedical applications. He has a strong focus in materials chemistry research with an emphasis in developing composite biomaterials through the integration of electroactive materials with conventional biomaterials. He has published 1 book, 4 book chapters and 95 journal papers with an h-index of 27.