Precisely patterned molecular threads boost neuron growth and synapse formation in cell cultures

Northwestern University researchers have engineered exceptionally long, precisely patterned molecular threads that could revolutionize advanced materials design. The structures, known as supramolecular polymers, are constructed from self-assembling molecules and can extend beyond the diameter of a cell. These giant polymers, which are 100 times more massive than conventional polymers and the largest known proteins in biology, can be controlled in length and organized into chemically distinct segments with opposite electrical charges.

This unique control led to an unexpected biological effect: enhanced neuron growth and synapse formation in cell cultures. The study, published in Science, introduces a novel method to build highly controlled supramolecular materials with precise chemical arrangements, potentially transforming regenerative medicine and other fields.

Northwestern's Samuel I. Stupp, who led the research, noted that the material's self-assembly creates bioactivity, offering a new way to interact with cells. The breakthrough hinges on a novel process called "self-capping supramolecular polymerization," which allows threads to grow uniformly and maintain their length without fusing or rearranging.

The researchers can restart growth by adding more building blocks, creating segments with different chemical properties. In the study, threads with positive and negative charges remained stable in water, demonstrating the potential for precise control over cell interactions.