Recent clinical outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, along with the emergence of unwanted microorganisms in industrial settings, have significantly reduced efficiency. Graphene has recently attracted significant attention as a potential antimicrobial agent because of its low toxicity, ease of production and functionalization, and high solubility in water. The presence of oxygen functional groups allows the interaction of the compound with bacteria and other biomolecules, making it an interesting candidate for antimicrobial therapy. Moreover, integrating graphene into copper coatings has been shown to enhance their antimicrobial properties. However, the implementation of copper–graphene composite coatings is currently limited by the difficulty of uniformly distributing graphene within the copper matrix. Copper (Cu)-doped graphitic nanoplatelets (CuGnPs), one option to overcome this challenge, are made via a mechanochemical reaction between solid graphite and Cu powder. The configuration of C–Cu bonds within CuGnPs can be identified using a range of analytical techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the Cu-GnPs, we employed Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus. Various amounts (250, 500, 750, and 1000 μg/mL) of prepared CuGnP samples were incubated in a bacterial suspension for 3 or 6 h at 150 rpm and 37 °C for a colony-forming unit assay. Three hours and six hours of treatment of the bacteria with CuGnPs led to a significant difference in bacterial survival compared with that of the control. It was observed that CuGnPs, with copper bound to graphene oxide, more effectively inhibited the proliferation of E. coli compared with nanoplatelets containing graphene oxide alone. These findings suggest that the unique properties of CuGnPs, such as C–Cu bonds, high surface area, and the coexistence of micropores and mesopores, are valuable for exerting strong antimicrobial effects making CuGnPs effective at preventing bacterial colonization on industrial surfaces.

Peripheral nerve adhesion after surgical injury severely hinders functional nerve regeneration, leading to pain and neurological dysfunction. In this study, we developed a photocrosslinkable methacrylated gelatin (GelMA)-based hydrogel membrane that locally releases dexamethasone to simultaneously prevent adhesion and suppress inflammation. GelMA, synthesized by reacting gelatin with methacrylic anhydride, formed a stable crosslinked network, as confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and rheological analysis. Cytocompatibility assays showed that both GelMA and Dexa-GelMA hydrogels were non-cytotoxic to neuronal and fibroblast cell lines. In a Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat sciatic nerve injury model, implantation of the Dexa-GelMA hydrogel significantly reduced perineural adhesion and inflammation compared with the untreated control. Western blot analysis showed an approximately 80% reduction in ED-1 expression, indicating suppression of macrophage activation. Overall, the Dexa-GelMA hydrogel provides a biocompatible, multifunctional platform that integrates physical barrier function with anti-inflammatory drug delivery, showing strong potential for preventing postoperative nerve adhesion and modulating early inflammatory responses in a peripheral nerve injury model.

Dental implant surgery usually takes over 6 to 9 months, with 3 to 6 months specifically allocated for osseointegration between the implant and the surrounding bone. To expedite this process, we developed an innovative hybrid composite structure and a bioreactor. This hybrid structure features an assembly-type implant combined with a 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold. The implant was redesigned in a modular format to enable the insertion of a scaffold between components, facilitating bone-to-bone contact instead of metal-to-bone contact, which enhances osseointegration. The PCL scaffold was coated with polydopamine (PDA) to improve cell adhesion. Additionally, a bioink that mimics bone composition, consisting of type I collagen and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), was incorporated into the scaffold. To support cell maturation within the scaffold, we developed a hydrostatic pressure bioreactor system that applies uniform compressive stress to complex 3D structures. We assessed cell viability in the scaffold using the CCK-8 assay, and SEM imaging confirmed the effectiveness of the PDA coating. Furthermore, we evaluated osteogenic differentiation through ALP activity and calcium quantification assays under both static and dynamic stimulation conditions.