Neuronal cells cultured on modified microelectronic device surfaces

Abstract

The recording of the electrical activity of a large number of neurons in tissue culture over a period of weeks or even months should be very helpful in the understanding of the development and function of biological neuronal networks. Ideally, a method for the detection of the changes in interacellular voltage in such a system should have both high spatial and temporal resolution. One approach could be to record with a fixed electrode array built into the floor of the tissue culture chamber. We have chosen to detect the electrical signal of the neuron by direct coupling with a field effect transistor. Such a coupling is the first step toward multisite recording in neuronal nets and the development of a neuronal network. On a microelectronic device surface it is necessary, to control adhesion and outgrowth of neurons on a microscopic scale. To achieve biocompatibility the chemical composition of the surfaces of such devices has to be modified. Our approach to control the chemical architecture at the interface is to attach ultrathin polymer films to the device surface by using a novel ‘‘grafting from’’ procedure. It can be shown that the chemical composition of the interface can be tuned in such a way that Purkinje neurons show good adhesion to such a surface and survive and grow on it for weeks.