title: Neuronal cell biocompatibility and adhesion to modified CMOS electrodes.
abstract: The use of CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) integrated circuits to create electrodes for biosensors, implants and drug-discovery has several potential advantages over passive multi-electrode arrays (MEAs). However, unmodified aluminium CMOS electrodes may corrode in a physiological environment. We have investigated a low-cost electrode design based on the modification of CMOS metallisation to produce a nanoporous alumina electrode as an interface to mammalian neuronal cells and corrosion inhibitor. Using NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells, results show that porous alumina is biocompatible and that the inter-pore distance (pore pitch) of the alumina has no effect on cell vitality. To establish whether porous alumina and a cell membrane can produce a tight junction required for good electrical coupling between electrode and cell, we devised a novel cell detachment centrifugation assay to assess the long-term adhesion of cells. Results show that porous alumina substrates produced with a large pore pitch of 206 nm present a significantly improved surface compared to the unmodified aluminium control and that small pore-pitches of 17 nm and 69 nm present a less favourable surface for cell adhesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. abmahdg@bath.ac.uk
authors.forename: Anthony H D
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Chris R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robbins
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004566:Electrodes / Q000191:economics; D004867:Equipment Design; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D016062:Porosity; D051381:Rats; D012666:Semiconductors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D000537:Aluminum Oxide