Surface Patterning with Chemisorbed Chemical Cues for Advancing Neurochip Applications

Abstract

We are currently developing multisite planar patch-clamp chips capable of recording high resolution electrophysiological function from individual neurons established in culture. This capability provides a unique opportunity to establish and study communication between synaptically connected neurons on-chip at the level of ion channel function. Critical to realizing this goal for mammalian cell applications are chip surface functionalization strategies that will promote attraction and adhesion of cells to on-chip interrogation features as well as facilitate in the guidance of connectivity between neurons. Here, a chemical strategy is presented that has been adapted to be compatible with standard photolithography techniques for chemical patterning of amine rich cell adhesion promoters on silicon-based surfaces. This chemisorption approach will not only enable electrophysiological studies of neuronal networks but also allow patterning of small peptides such the ones containing the RGD motif, known to induce cell adhesion via molecular recognition of integrin receptors on cell membranes and also stimulate other important biological processes.