RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Growing neuronal islands on multi-electrode arrays using an Accurate Positioning-µCP device
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 026401
DO 10.1101/026401
A1 Robert Samhaber
A1 Manuel Schottdorf
A1 Ahmed El Hady
A1 Kai Bröking
A1 Andreas Daus
A1 Christiane Thielemann
A1 Walter Stühmer
A1 Fred Wolf
YR 2015
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2015/10/01/026401.abstract
AB Background Multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) allow non-invasive multiunit recording in-vitro from cultured neuronal networks. For sufficient neuronal growth and adhesion on such MEAs, substrate preparation is required. Plating of dissociated neurons on a uniformly prepared MEA’s surface results in the formation of spatially extended random networks with substantial inter-sample variability. Such cultures are not optimally suited to study the relationship between defined structure and dynamics in neuronal networks. To overcome these shortcomings, neurons can be cultured with pre-defined topology by spatially structured surface modification. Spatially structuring a MEA surface accurately and reproducibly with the equipment of a typical cell-culture laboratory is challenging.New Method In this paper, we present a novel approach utilizing microcontact printing (μCP) combined with a custom-made device to accurately position patterns on MEAs with high precision. We call this technique AP-μCP (accurate positioning micro-contact printing).Comparison with existing Methods Other approaches presented in the literature using μCP for patterning either relied on facilities or techniques not readily available in a standard cell culture laboratory, or they did not specify means of precise pattern positioning.Conclusion Here we present a relatively simple device for reproducible and precise patterning in a standard cell-culture laboratory setting. The patterned neuronal islands on MEAs provide a basis for high throughput electrophysiology to study the dynamics of single neurons and neuronal networks.