Dual-photoresponsive elastomer nanofibres enhanced myofibre hybrid for skeletal muscle actuation
Data files
Feb 11, 2026 version files 5.90 GB
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Interface_Focus_-Data_Repository.zip
5.90 GB
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README.md
2.77 KB
Abstract
Light-responsive polymers offer promising opportunities for remote or battery-free actuation in soft robotics. However, many existing systems face limitations in responsiveness, processability, and biocompatibility—challenges that remain particularly significant in the context of muscle loss restoration. Here, we present a dual-photoresponsive myofiber-nanofibre hybrid skeletal muscle system (MyoHybrid) engineered from optogenetically modified myoblasts cultured on a scalable, unidirectionally aligned polyurethane–azobenzene (PAzo) nanofiber scaffold. This design enables synergistic photo-actuation through the anisotropic integration of myotubes and nanofibers. Compared to PAzo flat solid substrate, aligned PAzo nanofibers enhanced unidirectional myotube fusion by 25.3 % and improved maturation by 37.7 %. Furthermore, optogenetic stimulation of the resulting myofibers led to a 60 % increase in both contraction velocity and force. This MyoHybrid actuator demonstrates a harmonious interface between synthetic nanofibers and biological myofibers, offering a programmable platform for muscle-on-chip models, biohybrid actuators, and lightdriven soft tissue systems. Our work bridges mechanical bionics and cellular actuation, paving the way for next-generation soft robotics and regenerative technologies.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.tmpg4f5c5
Description of the data and file structure
Paper: Dual-photoresponsive Elastomer Nanofibres Enhanced Myofibre Hybrid for Skeletal Muscle Actuation
Authors: Lei Wu, Xia Huang, Aimee Cheesbrough, Jinke Chang, Jishizhan Chen, Andrew Conn, Jonathan Rossiter, Martin Birchall, Ivo Lieberam, Wenhui Song
Description :
This README file describes the data package accompanying the above publication.
Files in the Interface_Focus_-Data_Repository.zip:
- Figure 2 folder: Includes standard FTIR characterisation of PAzo fibre and film, polarised FTIR characterisation of PAzo fibres, and SEM images of random and aligned PAzo fibres, together with the corresponding fibre diameter and orientation analyses (including raw measurements and processed outputs).
- Figure 3 folder: Includes mechanical characterisation datasets for PAzo fibres and film, including raw measurement files and processed results used in the manuscript.
- Figure 4 and Figure S2 and S3 folder: Includes proliferation datasets for C2C12ChR2 cells cultured on PAzo substrates, comprising PrestoBlue and total-DNA assays, as well as confocal microscopy images (DAPI and F-actin) of C2C12ChR2 cultured on aligned and random PAzo fibres, solid-sheet controls, and coverslip controls from Day 1 to Day 10.
- Figure 5 folder: Includes the analysis methods and datasets used for myogenic differentiation quantification, covering myotube fusion index, myotube maturation index, myotube length and width measurements, and myotube orientation analysis, alongside the associated raw data and processed results.
- Figure 6 folder: Includes photomechanical testing datasets for PAzo fibres acquired under varying cycle period, light intensity, and wavelength, together with PIV vector outputs and velocity analyses of C2C12ChR2 myotube contractions on a coverslip control and on nanofibre substrates at 1 Hz.
- Figure 7 folder: Includes frequency-dependent contractility analyses of C2C12ChR2 myotubes on aligned PAzo nanofibres, including PIV vectors and velocity analyses at 1 Hz, 2 Hz, and 4 Hz.
- Figure S1 folder: Includes SEM images of random electrospun PAzo fibres fabricated at different polymer concentrations, along with the corresponding fibre diameter distribution analyses.
- Supporting videos folder: Includes eight videos associated with the PIV analysis, including PIV vector fields and velocity heat maps of myofibre contractions on coverslip controls at 1 Hz (Movie S1–S2), and on nanofibre substrates at 1 Hz (Movie S3–S4), 2 Hz (Movie S5–S6), and 4 Hz (Movie S7–S8).