GelMA/PEDOT:PSS hydrogel beads combined with electrical stimulation as a potential method for bone organoid construction

This study developed a simple strategy for bone organoid construction using GelMA/PEDOT:PSS hydrogel beads (fabricated via pipette extrusion-UV crosslinking) combined with electrical stimulation (ES). The hydrogel beads exhibited uniform size of 2.29 ± 0.13 mm and porous structure of 100–200 μm pores. ES (75 mV/mm, 75 Hz, 80 % duty cycle) triggered Ca 2+ influx in HEK293T cells with 6–8 min and upregulated Opg expression in BMSCs. The combination of BMSCs-laden hydrogel beads and ES (20 min every other day) enhanced Osx/Runx2 expression post-osteogenic induction. This low-cost, facile system shows potential for bone organoid engineering. • Developed a simple method for fabricating large-size GelMA/PEDOT:PSS hydrogel beads. • ES of 75 mV/mm promoted Ca 2+ influx in HEK293T cells and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. • GelMA/PEDOT:PSS hydrogel beads combined with ES show potential for cultivating bone organoids.