Model network architectures in vitro on extracellular recording systems using microcontact printing
A PDMS stamp is used to transfer a synthetic peptide in a given pattern to any suitable surface. Using this method two-dimensional neuronal model networks could be formed on glass substrates as well as on electronic devices and adjusted to the given microelectronic structure. The present work focuses on the mechanism of neurite guidance under simplified in vitro conditions, using in vitro guidance cues and outline the incorporation of these interfacial methods into microelectronic sensor devices.
Ordered networks of rat hippocampal neurons attached to silicon oxide surfaces.
The control of neuronal cell position and outgrowth is of fundamental interest in the development of applications ranging from cellular biosensors to tissue engineering. We have produced rectangular networks of functional rat hippocampal neurons on silicon oxide surfaces. Attachment and network formation of neurons was guided by a geometrical grid pattern of the adhesion peptide PA22-2 which matches in sequence a part of the A-chain of laminin. PA22-2 was applied by contact printing onto the functionalised silicon oxide surface and was immobilised by hetero-bifunctional cross-linking with sulfo-GMBS. Geometric pattern matching was achieved by microcontact printing using a polydimethylsiloxa…