Genetically patterned multifunctional grooved microtubes for directed nerve cell alignment and inflammation regulation

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI), with high incidence, urgently requires treatments beyond autologous grafting due to inflammation, scarring, and delayed axonal growth. Alternatives like artificial conduits, molecules, cells, or gene therapies show promise in guiding nerve proliferation, axon extension, or creating supportive microenvironments, yet challenges remain in functional precision and fabrication. Developing multifunctional conduits with controlled bioactivity and microtube-based evaluation is essential. This project will advance microtube fabrication, enhance biological functions, and establish in vitro models for peripheral nerve regeneration. Grooved and genetically patterned microtubes will promote cell alignment and axon growth, while miRNA-loaded nanoparticles may induce M2 macrophage polarization and Schwann cell repair phenotypes. These microtubes will enable deep investigation of nerve cell alignment, inflammation control, and microenvironment reconstruction, offering significant impact in PNI research, regenerative medicine, biomaterials, nanotechnology, and gene therapy.