Semiconductor Nanomembrane Tubes: Three-Dimensional Confinement for Controlled Neurite Outgrowth

• DOI: 10.1021/nn103618d
• Publication Date: 2011-03-02T16:40:14Z
• Authors: Minrui Yu; Yu Huang; Jason Ballweg; Hyuncheol Shin; Minghuang Huang; Donald E. Savage; Max G. Lagally; Erik W. Dent; Robert H. Blick; Justin C. Williams
• Keywords: Neurite; Neural tissue engineering

In many neural culture studies, neurite migration on a flat, open surface does not reflect the three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment in vivo. With that mind, we fabricated arrays of semiconductor tubes using strained silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) nanomembranes employed them as cell substrate for primary cortical neurons. Our experiments show SiGe tube fabrication process are biologically viable neuron cells. We also observe neurons attracted by topography, even absence adhesion factors, can be guided to pass through during outgrowth. Coupled with selective seeding individual close opening, growth within limited single axon. Furthermore, feature resembles natural myelin, both physically electrically, it is possible control diameter an axon, providing confined 3D contact axon membrane potentially insulating from extracellular solution.