Abstract
The organization of neurons and glia cells on substrates composed of pristine carbonnanotube islands was investigated using high resolution scanning electron microscopy,immunostaining and confocal microscopy. Neurons were found bound and preferentiallyanchored to the rough surfaces; moreover, the morphology of the neuronal processes on thesmall, isolated islands of high density carbon nanotubes was found to be conspicuouslycurled and entangled. We further demonstrate that the roughness of the surface mustmatch the diameter of the neuronal processes in order to allow them to bind. The resultspresented here suggest that entanglement, a mechanical effect, may constitute anadditional mechanism by which neurons (and possibly other cell types) anchorthemselves to rough surfaces. Understanding the nature of the interface betweenneurons and carbon nanotubes is essential to effectively harness carbon nanotubetechnology in neurological applications such as neuro-prosthetic and retinal electrodes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
