Berlin 2015 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 2: Neurophysics I

BP 2.6: Talk

Monday, March 16, 2015, 10:45–11:00, H 1058

Synthetic Neuronal Networks on Glass Using Topological and Chemical Cues — •Andreas Schlegel¹, Aune Koitmäe¹, Paul Gwozdz¹, Jann Harberts¹, Christian Heusinger¹, Gabriele Loers², and Robert H. Blick¹ — ¹Center for Hybrid Nanostructures (CHYN) and Institute of Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, University of Hamburg, Germany — ²Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany

The understanding of neuronal signal transduction is of interest for research of biological networks. We present a method to achieve directional guidance of neurite outgrowth with the goal of providing synthetic neuronal circuits.

We use glass microstructured with an excimer laser (geometrical confinement). In a second step patterns of Poly-L-Lysine (PLL) are printed onto the glass (chemical guidance). The topological pattern consists of lines with alternating units of containers (diameters ∼ 20 µ m) and channels (width ∼ 4 µm, length 30−200 µm). The distance between the lines varies between 10 and 200 µm. The depth of the structures is 4 µ m. PLL is printed inside the containers to promote cell adhesion.

The neurites prefer to grow within the microstructures over several hundred µ m. Neurons situated inside containers grow neurites along channels and connect to multiple neurons in line over a millimeter range. Crosslinking of neurites between separated lines becomes less common with increasing distance. A transition from partially random behavior to controlled growth is observed.