Improving neuronal adhesion on chip using a phagocytosis-like event

Abstract

Efficient integration of neuronal cells and electronic devices could result in hybrid bi-directional communication systems that would enable us to interact at fundamental levels with biological structures and gain insight in the mechanisms governing their functions. Such systems require a very tight coupling between the neuronal cell membrane and the surface of an electronic chip. In this paper we report an approach where the combination of specialized surface chemistry and the manipulation of biological processes, like a phagocytosis-like process, might improve this coupling. As a model, we used coated micro- and nano-sized beads and induced phagocytosis-like events by adding them to cultured cells. The development of the surface chemistry and the results obtained with beads functionalized with a laminin derived peptide are presented.

Keywords:

• Neuronal adhesion
• Functionalized nanobeads
• Surface chemistry

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Peter Timmerman and Thijs Koster from Pepscan NV for the synthesis of the peptide. Bart Van Meerbergen holds a doctoral fellowship of the FWO vlaanderen. This work was also financed by IMEC, VIB, FWO-Vlaanderen (G.0243.02) and KU Leuven (GOA/2004/12).