Microfabrication, surface modification, and laser guidance techniques to create a neuron biochip

Abstract:

In this report we illustrate our application of soft lithography-based microfabrication, surface modification, and our unique laser cell-patterning system toward the creation of neuron biochips. We deposited individual forebrain neurons from Day 7 embryonic chicks into two rows of eight in a silicon microstructure aligned over a microelectrode array (MEA). The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane with microstructures to confine cells and guide network connectivity was aligned to the electrodes ofa MEA. Both the MEA and the PDMS membrane were treated with O2 plasma, Poly-L-Lysine, and Laminin to aid in cell attachment and survival. The primary advantage of our process is that it is quicker and simpler than previous cell-placement methods and may make highly defined neuronal network biochips more practical