Graphene-Layered Eggshell Membrane as a Flexible andFunctional Scaffold for Enhanced Proliferation and Differentiationof Stem Cells

Eggshell membrane (ESM) is usually regarded as an agricultural by-product waste, even though it has unique properties as a biomaterial. In particular, ESM has a flexible and highly pure microfibrous network structure that can be used as an artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) platform for engraftment or as a tissue-engineered scaffold. In this study, flexible and functional scaffolds were constructed using ESM and graphene, and their applicability for stem cell and tissue engineering were analyzed. The graphene-layered ESM (GEM) scaffolds show enhanced characteristics, such as ECM-like hierarchical micro- and nanostructures and better mechanical and hydrophilic properties than those of raw ESM. The GEM scaffolds can control the adhesion properties of stem cells, enhancing the proliferation and osteogenic properties of the cells compared with the effects of raw ESM. Additionally, the GEM scaffolds can improve the secretion of growth factors from stem cells, possibly through enhanced cell–substrate interac...