From 2D to 3D: novel nanostructured scaffolds to investigate signalling in reconstructed neuronal networks

• DOI: 10.1038/srep09562
• Publication Date: 2015-04-24T16:03:03Z
• Authors: Susanna Bosi; Rossana Rauti; Jummi Laishram; Antonio Turco; Davide Lonardoni; Thierry Nieus; Maurizio Prato; Denis Scaini; Laura Ballerini
• Keywords: Interfacing; 3D cell culture

Abstract To recreate in vitro 3D neuronal circuits will ultimately increase the relevance of results from cultured to whole-brain networks and promote enabling technologies for neuro-engineering applications. Here we fabricate novel elastomeric scaffolds able instruct growth living primary neurons. Such systems allow investigating emerging activity, terms calcium signals, small clusters neurons as a function interplay between 2D or architectures network dynamics. We report ability geometry improve functional organization synchronization assemblies. propose mathematical modelling dynamics that supports such result. Entrapping carbon nanotubes remarkably boosted synaptic thus allowing first time exploit nanomaterial/cell interfacing support. Our system represents simple reliable construct, complexity current tissue culture models.