MICROSCOPICALLY PATTERNED SURFACES FOR DIRECTED NEURAL CELL PLACEMENT

Robert C. Davis (1), Conrad D. James (1), Stephen W. Turner (1), Lance Kam (2,3), Harold G. Craighead (1), Michael S. Isaacson (1), James N. Turner (3,4) and William Shain (3,4)
(1) School of Applied and Engineering Physics, 212 Clark Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
(2) Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180
(3) Wadsworth Center, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201-0509
(4) Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12201-0509

The response of neural cells to chemical patterning is used to direct cell attachment and growth. Microscopic control of neuron placement on a surface is an essential component of our effort on live neural network computing. Control of attachment and growth of neurons and glia is also desirable for neurological implants and research on central nervous system function.

Chemical patterning is achieved by microcontact printing of Self Assembled Monolayers (SAMS) and proteins on SiO2 surfaces. Characterization of the chemically patterned surfaces is performed by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and fluorescence microscopy to determine the morphology and coverage of the layers.

Cell adhesion assays were performed on both the chemically and topographically patterned surfaces. Cell distribution was determined by SEM and confocal microscopy. Cell distribution is shown to be strongly influenced by the microcontact printed chemical surfaces allowing geometrical control of cell placement. Cell morphology is also shown to be dependent on the chemical composition of the printed surface.