Toward a Merged Microfluidic/Microelectrode Array Device for Culture of Unidirectional Neural Network
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Toward a Merged Microfluidic/Microelectrode Array Device for Culture of Unidirectional Neural Network. Alexander H. Mo1 and Sarah C. Heilshorn1 1 Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 943054045, U.S.A. ABSTRACT Traditional neural cultures are formed from disassociating primary neurons that are sourced from animals. However by disassociating them, any larger organizational structure between the neurons is lost. In an effort to regain some of the lost organization a device that is capable of recreating and monitoring a unidirectional connection between two populations is proposed. Initial validation toward a fully functional device is presented. Using soft lithography techniques, a microfluidic chip has been designed and produced with a design conducive for facilitating such a neuron culture. Using a specialized adhesive method, this chip can be attached and removed from a commercially available microelectrode array. Finally, cell viability is demonstrated using the PC12 neuron-like cell line after exploring several device configurations. Further efforts will be focused on primary neuron culture and establishment of a unidirectional network. INTRODUCTION The brain is a centralized collective of neurons organized into nodes that are responsible for processing stimuli and decision making in higher organisms. Entire branches of science are dedicated to understanding the different organizational levels that make up the brain from highlevel consciousness to communication between two neurons. However on the cellular level, neuron cultures typically use disassociated neurons and it becomes difficult to study organizational behavior these neurons once had. The development of soft lithography offers the tools to recreate some of the organization that was lost with disassociated neurons. Toward this end, we report progress toward developing a device that can create a unidirectional connection between two otherwise isolated populations of randomly networked neurons and monitor electrical communication between these populations. This is accomplished by merging a microfluidic chip onto a commercially available microelectrode array. The microfluidic chip is made from the cheap, biocompatible elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Figure 1 shows the device design containing two cell chambers connected by small axon guidance channels modeled on similar devices.[1] These chambers are aligned over the electrodes of a commercially available microelectrode array and bonded with a special method to create the finished device. Figure 1: Schematic of the device in top-down (left) and cross-section view (bottom)
Device validation work involving device assembly and cell viability are reported here. Methods for bonding and removing microfluidic chips from microelectrode arrays have been developed. Cell viability in microfluidic devices is tested using a neuron-like cell line called PC12. Due to the iterative nature of the work, microfluidic chips were bonded to inexpensive microscope
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