Title

Synaptic Connectivity In Engineered Neuronal Networks

Keywords

Action potential; Engineered networks; EPSC; Hippocampal cultures; Photolithography; SAM; Serum free; Synaptic connectivity

Abstract

We have developed a method to organize cells in dissociated cultures using engineered chemical clues on a culture surface and determined their connectivity patterns. Although almost all elements of the synaptic transmission machinery can be studied separately in single cell models in dissociated cultures, the complex physiological interactions between these elements are usually lost. Thus, factors affecting synaptic transmission are generally studied in organotypic cultures, brain slices, or in vivo where the cellular architecture generally remains intact. However, by utilizing engineered neuronal networks complex phenomenon such as synaptic transmission or synaptic plasticity can be studied in a simple, functional, cell culture-based system. We have utilized self-assembled monolayers and photolithography to create the surface templates. Embryonic hippocampal cells, plated on the resultant patterns in serum-free medium, followed the surface clues and formed the engineered neuronal networks. Basic whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology was applied to characterize the synaptic connectivity in these engineered two-cell networks. The same technology has been used to pattern other cell types such as cardiomyocytes or skeletal muscle fibers. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Publication Title

Methods in Molecular Biology

Volume

1183

Number of Pages

243-252

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1096-0_15

Socpus ID

84924928576 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84924928576

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