| AVS 54th International Symposium | |
| Biomaterial Interfaces | Thursday Sessions |
| Session BI-ThP |
| Session: | Biomaterial Interfaces Poster Session |
| Presenter: | W. Wang, University of Central Florida |
| Authors: | W. Wang, University of Central Florida A. Natarajan, University of Central Florida P. Molnar, University of Central Florida S. Lambert, University of Central Florida M. Das, University of Central Florida M. Stancescu, University of Central Florida N. Bhargava, University of Central Florida J.J. Hickman, University of Central Florida |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Highly organized neuronal networks exist in the brain and are formed by appropriate neuron migration during the developmental stage. In vitro, engineering the appropriate neuron migration pathways and controlling the destination of single migrating neurons has been a challenge due to the insufficient understanding of integrated physiochemical mechanisms that regulate this process. In this work, we show that with controlled surface chemistry and proper design of pattern geometry of the substrate, single neuron migration pathways and destinations can be controlled. However, more importantly, the mechanism of this migration of how the neuron populations respond to the different surface chemistry and pattern geometry has been investigated by time lapse morphological analysis. We recorded the dynamic neuron migration that occurs during the formation of patterned two-neuron circuits using embryonic hippocampal neurons, where the somal adhesion sites, axon and dendrites outgrowth pathways are precisely determined. The cellular patterns were maintained in a defined serum free culture medium. Substrate surfaces were modified with self-assembled monolayers and patterns formed by laser ablation through a quartz photo mask. The surface chemistry was analyzed utilizing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. The patterns were visualized by metal deposition and optical profilometry. The neurons were characterized by static and dynamic morphological analysis and immunocytochemistry. Synaptic connections were determined by dual-patch clamp electrophysiology. The neurons were observed to migrate to designed somal adhesion sites by leading edge extension along the designed neurite pathways using a previously unknown process. After soma attachment, axon and dendrite outgrowth then continued along the designed pathways. This result will contribute to the methods of designing neuron network formation in culture, for the study of neuron migration in vitro and sensor design and fabrication.