Neuronal alignment on asymmetric textured surfaces

作者：Beighley Ross; Spedden Elise; Sekeroglu Koray; Atherton Timothy; Demirel Melik C^*; Staii Cristian

来源：Applied Physics Letters, 2012, 101(14): 143701.

DOI：10.1063/1.4755837

Axonal growth and the formation of synaptic connections are key steps in the development of the nervous system. Here, we present experimental and theoretical results on axonal growth and interconnectivity in order to elucidate some of the basic rules that neuronal cells use for functional connections with one another. We demonstrate that a unidirectional nanotextured surface can bias axonal growth. We perform a systematic investigation of neuronal processes on asymmetric surfaces and quantify the role that biomechanical surface cues play in neuronal growth. These results represent an important step towards engineering directed axonal growth for neuro-regeneration studies.

• 出版日期2012-10-1