Carbon Nanomaterials for Stem Cell Engineering

Carbon nanomaterials encompass a diverse family of nanoscale structures – including graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and carbon quantum dots – which have emerged as versatile platforms in the field of stem cell engineering. Their unique combination of mechanical strength, electrical conductivity and tunable surface chemistry enables precise control over cellular behaviour. By presenting defined nanotopographies and electroactive interfaces, these materials can direct stem cell adhesion, proliferation and lineage specification without reliance on soluble growth factors. In addition, their high surface area supports efficient loading and controlled release of bioactive agents such as nucleic acids or small-molecule cues, facilitating gene delivery and differentiation programmes. Such multifunctional scaffolds have been employed to regenerate bone, cartilage and neural tissues, to create in vitro models of disease and to track cell fate through intrinsic fluorescent properties. Their modularity and scalability promise solutions for translational challenges in regenerative medicine, from enhanced tissue repair to personalised cell therapies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Research from all publishers

Advances in sustainable sourcing have yielded carbon quantum dots (CQDs) derived from lignin, demonstrating excellent cytocompatibility with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Colloidal suspensions of native and nitrogen-doped CQDs were characterised by spectroscopy and electron microscopy, then formed into thin films to support hMSC attachment and viability over seven days, laying the groundwork for eco-friendly scaffolds in bone and cartilage repair. In parallel, zero-dimensional carbon dot-based materials have been systematically reviewed for their role in regenerative medicine. Their intrinsic fluorescence enables bioimaging-guided monitoring of stem cell behaviour, while surface functionalisation allows targeted drug delivery and controlled release of growth factors. Applications span bone defect healing, cartilage regeneration, peripheral nerve repair and cardiac tissue engineering, where carbon dots serve as non-toxic, cost-effective alternatives to semiconductor quantum dots. These studies collectively underscore the potential of carbon nanomaterials to integrate structural support, electrical conductivity and biochemical signalling in multifunctional platforms for stem cell-based therapies.

Carbon Nanomaterials for Stem Cell Engineering publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in carbon nanomaterials for stem cell engineering across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Graphene: A single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, renowned for its electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs): Zero-dimensional carbon nanoparticles, typically 1–10 nm in size, exhibiting photoluminescence and favourable biocompatibility.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs): Multipotent stromal cells capable of differentiating into osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages.

Nanotopography: Surface features at the nanometre scale that influence cell adhesion, morphology and differentiation.

Biocompatibility: The ability of a material to interact with living tissue without eliciting adverse effects.

References

1. Novel Kraft Softwood Lignin-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots: Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Cytocompatibility. Nanomaterials (2024).
2. Carbon dots‐based materials and their applications in regenerative medicine. MedComm – Biomaterials and Applications (2024).