Dendritic processing: using microstructures to solve a hitherto intractable neurobiological problem

Abstract

In vivo, intracellular recordings of mammalian brain stem motoneurones, followed by peroxidase staining and tridimensional reconstruction, suggest that the shape of the dendritic tree plays an important role in the processing of neural information. To test this hypothesis attempts were made to guide, in culture, the growth of neuritic branches of neurones dissociated from the hypoglossal nucleus of rat brain stem. This was performed using topographical and adhesive microstructures which were designed to control the shape of the neuritic tree. Guidance of the neuritic processes can be observed with small grooves engraved on quartz and plastic substrates, and simple shapes with few processes and bifurcations on each neurite could be obtained using adhesive microstructures. These procedures, which allow the shape of a neurone to be controlled, are very promising in the study, by means of classical electrophysiological methods as well as optical recordings, of the involvement of dendritic architecture in the processing of neural information.

Topographically modified surfaces affect orientation and growth of hippocampal neurons

“…Microfabricated surfaces with microgrooves of various depths, widths and spacings have demonstrated that initial axon growth of neurons isolated from different species and brain regions is directed by topographic cues (Ternaux et al 1992, Nagata et al 1993, Rajnicek et al 1997. These cues differ for different cells.…”

Coupling of neurons with biosensor devices for detection of the properties of neuronal populations

“…Recent years have seen increasing use of micro-fabrication and nano-fabrication technology in the study and practical applications of cell patterning. [6][7][8] While patterned substrates are primarily used for cell culturing, they are also being applied to experiments conducted in vivo, especially for the study of tissue rejection phenomenon associated with medical implants and the overall effectiveness of such structures. Conventional photolithography, contact printing and lift-off approaches, once used only for producing microelectronic devices, are now being employed for the complex chemical patterning of surfaces for a number of applications connected to cell attachment.…”

“…[6][7][8] While patterned substrates are primarily used for cell culturing, they are also being applied to experiments conducted in vivo, especially for the study of tissue rejection phenomenon associated with medical implants and the overall effectiveness of such structures. In earlier work, various forms of surface roughening and coatings have been used with respect to dental and orthopedic implants.…”

The Light-Addressable Potentiometric Sensor: Principles and Biological Applications

“…Such studies include the work of Fromherz et al on using field-effect transistors to sense action potentials (25) and others on the fabrication of microelectrodes (18,21,57). Several groups have used photolithography pattern the chemical or physical properties of cell-culture substrates to control the patterns of adhesion or migration of cells (17,20,32,66). The work of Fodor et al combining photolithographic chemical synthesis with optical sensing (24) is also worth reading about.…”