Bani-Yaghoub Mahmud, Tremblay Roger, Voicu Raluca, Mealing Geoff, Monette Robert, Py Christophe, Faid Karim, Sikorska Marianna
Neurogenesis & Brain Repair Group, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada.
Biotechnol Bioeng. 2005 Nov 5;92(3):336-45. doi: 10.1002/bit.20618.
Neural networks are formed by accurate connectivity of neurons and glial cells in the brain. These networks employ a three-dimensional bio-surface that both assigns precise coordinates to cells during development and facilitates their connectivity and functionality throughout life. Using specific topographic and chemical features, we have taken steps towards the development of poly(dimethylsiloxane; PDMS) neurochips that can be used to generate and study synthetic neural networks. These neurochips have micropatterned structures that permit adequate cell positioning and support cell survival. Within days of plating, cells differentiate into neurons displaying excitability and communication, as evidenced by intracellular calcium oscillations and action potentials. The structural and functional capacities of such simple neural networks open up new opportunities to study synaptic communication and plasticity.
神经网络由大脑中神经元和神经胶质细胞的精确连接构成。这些网络采用三维生物表面，在发育过程中为细胞分配精确坐标，并在整个生命过程中促进其连接性和功能性。利用特定的地形和化学特征，我们已朝着开发可用于生成和研究合成神经网络的聚二甲基硅氧烷（PDMS）神经芯片迈出了步伐。这些神经芯片具有微图案化结构，可实现细胞的适当定位并支持细胞存活。接种后的几天内，细胞分化为具有兴奋性和通信能力的神经元，细胞内钙振荡和动作电位证明了这一点。这种简单神经网络的结构和功能能力为研究突触通信和可塑性开辟了新机会。
