| AVS 54th International Symposium | |
| Biomaterial Interfaces | Thursday Sessions |
| Session BI-ThP |
| Session: | Biomaterial Interfaces Poster Session |
| Presenter: | A. Natarajan, University of Central Florida |
| Authors: | A. Natarajan, University of Central Florida N. Bhargava, University of Central Florida P. Molnar, University of Central Florida M. Das, University of Central Florida J.J. Hickman, University of Central Florida |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
A major research area in the field of cell-based biosensors and pharmaceutical testing is the development of functional cell-based networks and their integration with silicon-based platforms. The development of a hybrid cell-electrode system could also aid in understanding neuronal circuits, cardiac physiology and function, and the interactions between these cells. Using surface chemistry, we have developed a technique to first modify the surface of commercially available microelectrode arrays and glass using self-assembled monolayers (SAM). This is done using a cell-adhesive SAM like trimethoxysilylpropyldiethylene-triamine (DETA). Patterns are then made on the microelectrode arrays using a photolithography based method with a quartz mask that defines and guides neuron attachment and development. The patterned surface is then backfilled with an appropriate cell-repulsive SAM like perfluoroalkyltrichlorosilane (13F). The surfaces have been characterized by both X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements. Dissociated Embryonic hippocampal cells, in a serum-free medium, were cultured on these patterned microelectrode arrays in order to create neuronal networks with directed synaptic connectivity. The cells were characterized by morphological analysis as well as immunocytochemistry. The functionality of these networks was further studied using long term recording of the electrical activity of these cells in the presence and absence of toxins. We will report on the characterization of these devices as well as the methods developed for toxin detection and elucidation using these devices. We have also developed a technique to look at myocardial tissue function by manipulating surface chemistry in order to pattern and guide the growth of actively beating monolayers of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes on glass. These devices have also been characterized for their response to toxins and its effect on cardiac physiology. These hybrid systems are being used to further study basic neuronal networks and cardiac physiology properties like functional reentry. More importantly the devices are being applied to study toxic effects in pharmacological evaluation and to study disease models like Arrhythmia.