Highly conductive, stretchable, and biocompatible graphene oxide biocomposite hydrogel for advanced tissue engineering

Abstract The importance of hydrogels in tissue engineering cannot be overemphasized due to their resemblance to the native extracellular matrix (ECM). However, natural hydrogels with satisfactory biocompatibility exhibit poor mechanical behavior, which hampers their application in stress-bearing soft tissue engineering. Here, we describe the fabrication of a double methacrylated gelatin bioink covalently linked to graphene oxide (GO) via a zero-length crosslinker, digitally light-processed (DLP) printable into 3D complex structures with high fidelity. The resultant natural hydrogel (GelGOMA) exhibits a conductivity of 15.0 S m-1 as a result of the delocalization of the π-orbital from the covalently linked GO. Furthermore, the hydrogel shows a compressive strength of 1.6 MPa, and a 2.0 mm thick GelGOMA can withstand a 1.0 kg ms‑1 momentum. The printability and mechanical properties of GelGOMA were demonstrated by printing a fish heart with a functional fluid pumping mechanism and tricuspid valves. Its biocompatibility, electroconductivity, and physiological relevance enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts and neuroblasts and the contraction of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. GelGOMA demonstrates the potential for the tissue engineering of functional hearts and wearable electronic devices.