Carbon Nanotubes, Directly Grown on Supporting Surfaces, Improve Neuronal Activity in Hippocampal Neuronal Networks. Issue 5 (25th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rago, Ilaria; Rauti, Rossana; Bevilacqua, Manuela; Calaresu, Ivo; Pozzato, Alessandro; Cibinel, Matteo; Dalmiglio, Matteo; Tavagnacco, Claudio; Goldoni, Andrea; Scaini, Denis
• Is Part Of: Advanced biosystems. Volume 3:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-03-25
• Subjects: carbon nanotubes -- CVD -- electrical activity -- neuronal network -- surface patterning; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Biological Science Disciplines; Periodicals; Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201800286
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2366-7478

Abstract

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT)–modified surfaces unequivocally demonstrate their biocompatibility and ability to boost the electrical activity of neuronal cells cultured on them. Reasons for this effect are still under debate. However, the intimate contact at the membrane level between these thready nanostructures and cells, in combination with their unique electrical properties, seems to play an important role. The entire existing literature exploiting the effect of CNTs on modulating cellular behavior deals with cell cultures grown on purified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) deposited on a supporting surface via drop‐casting or mechanical entrapment. Here, for the first time, it is demonstrated that CNTs directly grown on a supporting silicon surface by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD)–assisted technique have the same effect. It is shown that primary neuronal cells developed above a carpet of CVD CNTs form a healthy and functional network. The resulting neuronal network shows increased electrical activity when compared to a similar network developed on a control glass surface. The low cost and high versatility of the here presented CVD‐based synthesis process, together with the possibility to create on supporting substrate patterns of any arbitrary shape of CNTs, open up new opportunities for brain–machine interfaces or neuroprosthetic devices. Abstract : Surfaces decorated by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via chemical vapor deposition are able to sustain the effective development of functional networks of primary neuronal cells . A significant increase in the electrical activity of interfaced networks is demonstrated as well the the possibility to grow cells on a patterned CNTs surface and to electrically stimulate them through CNTs.