Microdosimetry of µsPEFs exposure on advanced stem cells 3D models in microfibrils’ scaffolds

Stem cells-based treatments are offering tantalizing prospectives within neuronal tissue engineering, as a versatile tool to promote nerve regeneration after injuries, such as the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). In this context, the European project RISEUP aims at SCI regeneration through an Electro Pulsed Bio-hybrid (EPB) implantable device, that will support stem cells in a polylactic acid microfibrils’ scaffold. The cells’ differentiation in neuronal lineage will be fostered through the application of microsecond pulsed electric fields (µsPEFs), typically used for electroporation-based applications. In this work, a microdosimetric study on a mixture of advanced 3D realistic cells’ models, including subcellular structures and internal organelles, hosted in a sparser and a denser microfibrils’ distribution is presented. The aim is to quantify the induced electrical quantities and the pore formation dynamics at cellular and subcellular level, to evaluate the biophysical effects induced after µsPEFs stimulation.