title: Active 3-D microscaffold system with fluid perfusion for culturing in vitro neuronal networks.
abstract: This work demonstrated the design, fabrication, packaging, and characterization of an active microscaffold system with fluid perfusion/nutrient delivery functionalities for culturing in vitro neuronal networks from dissociated hippocampal rat pup neurons. The active microscaffold consisted of an 8 x 8 array of hollow, microfabricated, SU-8 towers (1.0 mm or 1.5 mm in height), with integrated, horizontal, SU-8 cross-members that connect adjacent towers, thus forming a 3-D grid that is conducive to branching, growth, and increased network formation of dissociated hippocampal neurons. Each microtower in the microscaffold system contained a hollow channel and multiple fluid ports for media delivery and perfusion of nutrients to the in vitro neuronal network growing within the microscaffold system. Additionally, there were two exposed Au electrodes on the outer wall of each microtower at varying heights (with insulated leads running within the microtower walls), which will later allow for integration of electrical stimulation/recording functionalities into the active microscaffold system. However, characterization of the stimulation/recording electrodes was not included in the scope of this paper. Design, fabrication, fluid packaging, and characterization of the active microscaffold system were performed. Furthermore, use of the active microscaffold system was demonstrated by culturing primary hippocampal embryonic rat pup neurons, and characterizing cell viability within the microscaffold system.
authors: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 791 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Rowe
authors: Mahmoud
authors: M
authors: Almasri
authors: Kil
authors: K
authors: Lee
authors: Nick
authors: N
authors: Fogleman
authors: Gregory J
authors: GJ
authors: Brewer
authors: Yoonkey
authors: Y
authors: Nam
authors: Bruce C
authors: BC
authors: Wheeler
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Vukasinovic
authors: Ari
authors: A
authors: Glezer
authors: A Bruno
authors: AB
authors: Frazier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009415:Nerve Net; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010477:Perfusion; D051381:Rats; D012828:Silicones / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D012828:Silicones; C013830:baysilon