On-Chip Neural Cell-Cultivation System for Long-Term Observation with Multi-Electrode and Microchamber Arrays

Abstract

A new type of multi-electrode array system for long-term neural-cell cultivation has been developed. The core of the system is a 9-room microchamber array, formed of thick SU-8 photoresist, with a 9-channel multi-electrode array connected to each chamber. The biotin-coated microchamber array plate is covered with a streptavidin-decorated cellulose semi-permeable membrane, fixed on the surface of the plate by streptavidin-biotin attachment, thus separating the microchambers from the nutrient medium circulating above. The advantages of this system are as follows: (1) Contamination-free cultivation of neural cells is achieved by sealing the semi-permeable membrane lid on the microchamber array. (2) The simple, flexible design of the microchamber array enables the positions of the cells to be fixed between thick-photoresist walls 1–5 micrometers wide and 25 micrometers high. (3) Optical microscope observation and electrical recording enable long-term simultaneous analysis of the cells. Our experiments showed that nerve cells cultured in the microchamber array were grown safely, without any contamination. These results demonstrate the potential usefulness of our multi-electrode array system.