Combined topographical and chemical micropatterns for templating neuronal networks

Action potential recording from dielectrophoretically positioned neurons inside micro-wells of a planar microelectrode array

“…The work of Merz and Fromherz (2005) and Zhang et al (2006) along with the observations made in our experiments provide considerable evidence to support that SU-8 impedes the proper development of neural cells; however, there was no indication of cell death. On the other hand, a recent research by Vernekar et al (2008) showed that less than 10% of primary neurons survived when cultured on top of or While the experiments conducted by Merz and Fromherz (2005) and Zhang et al, (2006) showed that some neurons managed to grow processes and were capable of 25 firing action potentials over long periods of time, neurite growth was not observed in the experiments described here nor in the work by Vernekar et al, (2008).…”

“…On the other hand, a recent research by Vernekar et al (2008) showed that less than 10% of primary neurons survived when cultured on top of or While the experiments conducted by Merz and Fromherz (2005) and Zhang et al, (2006) showed that some neurons managed to grow processes and were capable of 25 firing action potentials over long periods of time, neurite growth was not observed in the experiments described here nor in the work by Vernekar et al, (2008). Vernekar et al, (2008) suggested that there is a correlation between the amount of SU-8 in a neural recording/stimulating device and the potential toxicity (they used films ≥100 µm in thickness).…”

“…Another similar approach is the one by Zhang et al (2006). Here, rat hippocampal neurons were placed inside SU-8 5 micro-wells 50 µm to 100 µm in diameter that were connected with neighbouring ones by 20 µm to 40 µm wide micro-trenches.…”

Surface Coating as a Key Parameter in Engineering Neuronal Network Structures In Vitro

“…Many cell types have been successfully patterned with microfluidics [14][15][16], lCP [17], inkjet printing [18,19], plasma treatment [20], self-assembled monolayers [21][22][23][24], self-assembled constructs [25], laser scanning lithography [26], atomic force microscope lithography, dip-pen nanolithography [27], topography [28,29], carbon nano-tubes [30], or their combinations [31,32]. Neurons are, however, distinctive cells with highly polarized morphology, much smaller somata, and thus few anchoring points for adhesion in comparison to most types of adherent mammalian cells.…”

A Simplified Micropatterning Method for Straight-line Neurite Extension of Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

“…[10][11][12][13][14] Microcontact printing on surface-modified substrates has been used to immobilize cell adhesive molecules in a micron-scale pattern for the study of neurite growth. 9 The method requires the complicated process of chemical modification.…”