PHYSICAL IMMOBILIZATION AND POLYMERIC MICROCHANNEL NETWORKS TO ACHIEVE DEFINED NEURONAL NETWORK STRUCTURES

摘要

A CMOS-compatible chip for physical cell immobilization on an array of 16 electrodes is presented. Neurons are pulled onto the electrodes by negative pressure applied from the backside of the chip through small holes in each electrode. Neurite outgrowth is guided through SU-8 channels to ensure predictable neuronal interconnects. The chip serves as a platform to systematically grow neuronal networks with defined node positions and syn-aptic connections. The fabrication of such devices, the electrical characterization of the electrodes, and the growth of neuronal networks on the chips are described. Particle immobilization was studied using fluorescent beads in a first approach.