title: An automated microdrop delivery system for neuronal network patterning on microelectrode arrays.
abstract: The aim of this work is to present a new technique for defining interconnected sub-populations of cultured neurons on microelectrode arrays (MEAs). An automated microdrop delivery technique allows to design and realize spatially distributed neuronal ensembles by depositing sub-nanoliter volumes of adhesion molecules in which neurons grow and develop. Electrophysiological tests demonstrate that functionally interconnected clusters are obtained and experimental results (both spontaneous and stimulus evoked activity recordings) attesting the feasibility of the proposed approach are presented. By means of the automated system, different and specific architectures can be easily designed and functionally studied. In the presented system the speed of drop deposition is about 30 drops/min; the mean diameter is 147 microm; typical cell survival time is 4-5 weeks. By changing drop size and spacing, investigations about how the network dynamics is related to the network structure can be systematically carried out.
authors.affiliation: Neuroengineering and Bio-Nanotechnology Group (NBT Group), Department of Biophysical and Electronic Engineering (DIBE), University of Genova, Via Opera Pia 11a, 16145 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Macis
authors.forename: Mariateresa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tedesco
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Massobrio
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raiteri
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martinoia
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000494:pharmacology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules