Patterned growth of neuronal cells on modified diamond-like carbon substrates

Developmental refinement of synaptic transmission on micropatterned single layer graphene

Interfacing neurons with graphene, a single atomic layer of sp² hybridized C-atoms, is a key paradigm in understanding how to exploit the unique properties of such a two-dimensional system for neural prosthetics and biosensors development. In order to fabricate graphene-based circuitry, a reliable large area patterning method is a requirement. Following a previously developed protocol, we monitored the in vitro neuronal development of geometrically ordered neural network growing onto patterned Single Layer Graphene (SLG) coated with poly-D-lysine. The microscale patterns were fabricated via laser micromachining and consisted of SLG stripes separated by micrometric ablated stripes. A comprehensive analysis of the biointerface was carried out combining the surface characterization of SLG transferred on the glass substrates and Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of the developing neural network. Neuronal and glial cells proliferation, as well as cell viability, were compared on glass, SLG and SLG-patterned surfaces. Further, we present a comparative developmental study on the efficacy of synaptic transmission on control glass, on transferred SLG, and on the micropatterned SLG substrates by recording miniature post synaptic currents (mPSCs). The mPSC frequencies and amplitudes obtained on SLG-stripes, SLG only and on glass were compared. Our results indicate a very similar developmental trend in the three groups, indicating that both SLG and patterned SLG preserve synaptic efficacy and can be potentially exploited for the fabrication of large area devices for neuron sensing or stimulation.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

This paper compares the morphological and functional development of neural networks forming on glass, on Single Layer Graphene (SLG) and on microsized patterned SLG substrates after neuron spontaneous migration. Neurons developing on SLG are viable after two weeks in vitro, and, on SLG, glial cell proliferation is enhanced. The functionality of the neural networks is demonstrated by measuring the development of neuron synapses in the first and second week in vitro. Preserving the neuron synaptic efficacy, both homogeneous and patterned interfaces based on graphene can be potentially exploited for the fabrication of large area devices for neuron sensing or stimulation, as well as for next generation of bio-electronic systems, to be used as brain-interfaces.

Investigation of silicon carbon nitride nanocomposite films as a wear resistant layer in vitro and in vivo for joint replacement applications

Silicon-contained CN_x nanocomposite films were prepared using the ion beam assisted magnetron sputtering under different nitrogen gas pressure. With increase of the nitrogen pressure, silicon and nitrogen content of the CN_x films drastically increase, and is saturated as the P_N2 reach about 40%. Surface roughness and the contact angle are increase, while the friction coefficient decreased. The CN_x film with 5.7at.% Si content possess the lowest friction coefficient of only 0.07, and exhibited the best tribological properties. The impact of CN_x films with different silicon content on the growth and the activation of osteoblasts were compared to that of Ti6Al4V. The incorporation of silicon in the CN_x film also showed an increase cell adhesion. Bonding structure and surface energy were determined to be the factors contributing to the improved biocompatibility. Macrophages attached to 5.7at.% Si contained CN_x films down regulated their production of cytokines and chemokines. Moreover, employed with Si contained CN_x coated joint replacements, which were implanted subcutaneously into Sprague-Dawley mice for up to 36days, the tissue reaction and capsule formation was significantly decreased compared to that of Ti6Al4V. A mouse implantation study demonstrated the excellent in vivo biocompatibility and functional reliability of wear resist layer for joint replacements with a Si doped a-CN_x coating for 36days.

Micropatterning Facilitates the Long-Term Growth and Analysis of iPSC-Derived Individual Human Neurons and Neuronal Networks

The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their application to patient-specific disease models offers new opportunities for studying the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. However, current methods for culturing iPSC-derived neuronal cells result in clustering of neurons, which precludes the analysis of individual neurons and defined neuronal networks. To address this challenge, cultures of human neurons on micropatterned surfaces are developed that promote neuronal survival over extended periods of time. This approach facilitates studies of neuronal development, cellular trafficking, and related mechanisms that require assessment of individual neurons and specific network connections. Importantly, micropatterns support the long-term stability of cultured neurons, which enables time-dependent analysis of cellular processes in living neurons. The approach described in this paper allows mechanistic studies of human neurons, both in terms of normal neuronal development and function, as well as time-dependent pathological processes, and provides a platform for testing of new therapeutics in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Optimizing growth and post treatment of diamond for high capacitance neural interfaces

Electrochemical and biological properties are two crucial criteria in the selection of the materials to be used as electrodes for neural interfaces. For neural stimulation, materials are required to exhibit high capacitance and to form intimate contact with neurons for eliciting effective neural responses at acceptably low voltages. Here we report on a new high capacitance material fabricated using nitrogen included ultrananocrystalline diamond (N-UNCD). After exposure to oxygen plasma for 3 h, the activated N-UNCD exhibited extremely high electrochemical capacitance greater than 1 mF/cm(2), which originates from the special hybrid sp(2)/sp(3) structure of N-UNCD. The in vitro biocompatibility of the activated N-UNCD was then assessed using rat cortical neurons and surface roughness was found to be critical for healthy neuron growth, with best results observed on surfaces with a roughness of approximately 20 nm. Therefore, by using oxygen plasma activated N-UNCD with appropriate surface roughness, and considering the chemical and mechanical stability of diamond, the fabricated neural interfaces are expected to exhibit high efficacy, long-term stability and a healthy neuron/electrode interface.

Strategy towards independent electrical stimulation from cochlear implants: Guided auditory neuron growth on topographically modified nanocrystalline diamond

Cochlear implants (CI) have been used for several decades to treat patients with profound hearing loss. Nevertheless, results vary between individuals, and fine hearing is generally poor due to the lack of discrete neural stimulation from the individual receptor hair cells. A major problem is the deliverance of independent stimulation signals to individual auditory neurons. Fine hearing requires significantly more stimulation contacts with intimate neuron/electrode interphases from ordered axonal re-growth, something current CI technology cannot provide. Here, we demonstrate the potential application of micro-textured nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) surfaces on CI electrode arrays. Such textured NCD surfaces consist of micrometer-sized nail-head-shaped pillars (size 5×5μm(2)) made with sequences of micro/nano-fabrication processes, including sputtering, photolithography and plasma etching. The results show that human and murine inner-ear ganglion neurites and, potentially, neural progenitor cells can attach to patterned NCD surfaces without an extracellular matrix coating. Microscopic methods revealed adhesion and neural growth, specifically along the nail-head-shaped NCD pillars in an ordered manner, rather than in non-textured areas. This pattern was established when the inter-NCD pillar distance varied between 4 and 9μm. The findings demonstrate that regenerating auditory neurons show a strong affinity to the NCD pillars, and the technique could be used for neural guidance and the creation of new neural networks. Together with the NCD's unique anti-bacterial and electrical properties, patterned NCD surfaces could provide designed neural/electrode interfaces to create independent electrical stimulation signals in CI electrode arrays for the neural population.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Cochlear implant is currently a successful way to treat sensorineural hearing loss and deafness especially in children. Although clinically successful, patients' fine hearing cannot be completely restored. One problem is the amount of the electrodes; 12-20 electrodes are used to replace the function of 3400 inner hair cells. Intense research is ongoing aiming to increase the number of electrodes. This study demonstrates the use of nanocrystalline diamond as a potential nerve-electrode interface. Micrometer-sized nanocrystalline diamond pillars showed high affinity to regenerated human neurons, which grew into a pre-defined network based on the pillar design. Our findings are of particular interest since they can be applied on any silicon-based implant to increase electrode count and to achieve individual neuron stimulation patterns.

Modification of surface/neuron interfaces for neural cell-type specific responses: a review

Surface/neuron interfaces have played an important role in neural repair including neural prostheses and tissue engineered scaffolds. This comprehensive literature review covers recent studies on the modification of surface/neuron interfaces. These interfaces are identified in cases both where the surfaces of substrates or scaffolds were in direct contact with cells and where the surfaces were modified to facilitate cell adhesion and controlling cell-type specific responses. Different sources of cells for neural repair are described, such as pheochromocytoma neuronal-like cell, neural stem cell (NSC), embryonic stem cell (ESC), mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS). Commonly modified methods are discussed including patterned surfaces at micro- or nano-scale, surface modification with conducting coatings, and functionalized surfaces with immobilized bioactive molecules. These approaches to control cell-type specific responses have enormous potential implications in neural repair.

Nanocarbon-Coated Porous Anodic Alumina for Bionic Devices

A highly-stable and biocompatible nanoporous electrode is demonstrated herein. The electrode is based on a porous anodic alumina which is conformally coated with an ultra-thin layer of diamond-like carbon. The nanocarbon coating plays an essential role for the chemical stability and biocompatibility of the electrodes; thus, the coated electrodes are ideally suited for biomedical applications. The corrosion resistance of the proposed electrodes was tested under extreme chemical conditions, such as in boiling acidic/alkali environments. The nanostructured morphology and the surface chemistry of the electrodes were maintained after wet/dry chemical corrosion tests. The non-cytotoxicity of the electrodes was tested by standard toxicity tests using mouse fibroblasts and cortical neurons. Furthermore, the cell-electrode interaction of cortical neurons with nanocarbon coated nanoporous anodic alumina was studied in vitro. Cortical neurons were found to attach and spread to the nanocarbon coated electrodes without using additional biomolecules, whilst no cell attachment was observed on the surface of the bare anodic alumina. Neurite growth appeared to be sensitive to nanotopographical features of the electrodes. The proposed electrodes show a great promise for practical applications such as retinal prostheses and bionic implants in general.

Estudo das células Neuro2A sobre os biomateriais PCL e PLLA

Os biomateriais poli L-ácido lático (PLLA) e o poli caprolactona (PCL) são os polímeros mais estudadas na área dos materiais bioreabsorvíveis. Dentre as suas principais características que contribuem para a interação celular, temos a especificidade química da superfície, elétrica, hidrofobicidade e topografia. Ainda, observa-se o tempo de degradação, porosidade, biocompatibilidade com o tecido biológico, bem como, a confecção com as mais variadas formas e dimensões. Já a prática da cultura celular, tem como objetivo estudar a adesão, migração, diferenciação e a proliferação celular utilizando-se um determinado material ou substância. Contudo, poucos trabalhos utilizando os biomateriais ora supracitados e a aplicação em células neuro2A foram realizados. Sabe-se que este tipo celular é derivado de células embrionárias da crista neural, as quais originam em neurônios simpáticos e apresentam como característica a imortalidade, portanto, são excelentes modelos em ensaios in vitro. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo avalia a adesão e a proliferação desta linhagem celular sobre os biopolímeros poli caprolactona (PCL) e poli L-ácido lático (PLLA).

The effect of fluorescent nanodiamonds on neuronal survival and morphogenesis

Nanodiamond (ND) has emerged as a promising carbon nanomaterial for therapeutic applications. In previous studies, ND has been reported to have outstanding biocompatibility and high uptake rate in various cell types. ND containing nitrogen-vacancy centers exhibit fluorescence property is called fluorescent nanodiamond (FND), and has been applied for bio-labeling agent. However, the influence and application of FND on the nervous system remain elusive. In order to study the compatibility of FND on the nervous system, neurons treated with FNDs in vitro and in vivo were examined. FND did not induce cytotoxicity in primary neurons from either central (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS); neither did intracranial injection of FND affect animal behavior. The neuronal uptake of FNDs was confirmed using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. However, FND caused a concentration-dependent decrease in neurite length in both CNS and PNS neurons. Time-lapse live cell imaging showed that the reduction of neurite length was due to the spatial hindrance of FND on advancing axonal growth cone. These findings demonstrate that FNDs exhibit low neuronal toxicity but interfere with neuronal morphogenesis, and should be taken into consideration when applications involve actively growing neurites (e.g. nerve regeneration).

Chromium-doped DLC for implants prepared by laser-magnetron deposition

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films are frequently used for coating of implants. The problem of DLC layers lies in bad layer adhesion to metal implants. Chromium is used as a dopant for improvement of adhesion of DLC films. DLC and Cr-DLC layers were deposited on silicon, Ti6Al4V and CoCrMo substrates by a hybrid technology using combination of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and magnetron sputtering. The topology of layers was studied using SEM, AFM and mechanical profilometer. Carbon and chromium content and concentration of trivalent and toxic hexavalent chromium bonds were determined by XPS and WDS. It follows from the scratch tests that Cr doping improved adhesion of DLC layers. Ethylene glycol, diiodomethane and deionized water were used to measure the contact angles. The surface free energy (SFE) was calculated. The antibacterial properties were studied using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The influence of SFE, hydrophobicity and surface roughness on antibacterial ability of doped layers is discussed.

Fractals in tissue engineering: toward biomimetic cell-culture matrices, microsystems and microstructured implants

Tissue engineering is a rapidly evolving field in which the complexity of biomaterials and biostructures, with typically non-Euclidean or fractal-like geometries, has to be adequately taken into account for the promotion of enhanced and even personalized diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. This study covers the main applications of fractals in the field of tissue engineering, including their advantages for modeling biological processes and cell-culture procedures, but specially focusing on their benefits for describing the complex geometries and structures of biomaterials (both natural and synthetic), many of which have potential uses for the development of cell culture microsystems, scaffolds for tissue repair and implants for tissue repair in general. We also explore the main supporting design, simulation and manufacturing technologies, as well as the most remarkable difficulties and limitations linked to the generalized use of fractals in engineering design, and also detail some current solution proposals and future directions.

Surface microstructures on planar substrates and textile fibers guide neurite outgrowth: a scaffold solution to push limits of critical nerve defect regeneration?

The treatment of critical size peripheral nerve defects represents one of the most serious problems in neurosurgery. If the gap size exceeds a certain limit, healing can't be achieved. Connection mismatching may further reduce the clinical success. The present study investigates how far specific surface structures support neurite outgrowth and by that may represent one possibility to push distance limits that can be bridged. For this purpose, growth cone displacement of fluorescent embryonic chicken spinal cord neurons was monitored using time-lapse video. In a first series of experiments, parallel patterns of polyimide ridges of different geometry were created on planar silicon oxide surfaces. These channel-like structures were evaluated with and without amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) coating. In a next step, structured and unstructured textile fibers were investigated. All planar surface materials (polyimide, silicon oxide and a-C:H) proved to be biocompatible, i.e. had no adverse effect on nerve cultures and supported neurite outgrowth. Mean growth cone migration velocity measured on 5 minute base was marginally affected by surface structuring. However, surface structure variability, i.e. ridge height, width and inter-ridge spacing, significantly enhanced the resulting net velocity by guiding the growth cone movement. Ridge height and inter-ridge distance affected the frequency of neurites crossing over ridges. Of the evaluated dimensions ridge height, width, and inter-ridge distance of respectively 3, 10, and 10 µm maximally supported net axon growth. Comparable artificial grooves, fabricated onto the surface of PET fibers by using an excimer laser, showed similar positive effects. Our data may help to further optimize surface characteristics of artificial nerve conduits and bioelectronic interfaces.

Chemico-physical characterisation and in vivo biocompatibility assessment of DLC-coated coronary stents

The vast majority of stent thrombosis occurs in the acute and sub-acute phases and is more common in patients with acute coronary syndromes, due to the thrombotic milieu where stent struts are positioned. Stent thrombosis is likely due to incomplete tissue coverage of metallic stents as the contact between metallic stents and blood elements may lead to platelet adhesion and trigger vessel thrombosis. If a stent is covered after 7 days, the risk that it will be found uncovered at later stages is very low (<1%). In this article, we demonstrate that diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings, deposited by physical vapour deposition, promote rapid endothelisation of coronary stent devices, with very low platelets activation, reducing thrombotic clots. We relate these behaviours to the surface and bulk material properties of the DLC films, subjected to a comprehensive chemico-physical characterisation using several techniques (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy combined with electron energy loss spectroscopy, Raman and dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). In vivo studies, conducted on 24 pigs, have shown complete endothelisation after 7 days, with no fibrin mesh and with only rare monocytes scattered on the endothelial layer while 30 and 180 days tests have shown reduced inflammatory activation and a complete stabilisation of the vessel healing, with a minimal neointimal proliferation. The integral and permanent DLC film coating improves haemo- and bio-compatibility and leads to an excellent early vessel healing of the stent whilst the extremely thin strut thickness reduces the amount of late neointima and consequently the risk of late restenosis. These data should translate into a reduced acute and sub-acute stent thrombosis.

The effect of substrate topography on hFOB cell behavior and initial cell adhesion evaluated by a cytodetacher

This study examined human fetal osteoblast (hFOB) cell morphology, adhesion force, and proliferation on a titanium-coated grooved surface. V-shaped grooves with a depth of 2.4 μm (T1) or 4.8 μm (T2) were produced in silicon wafers using photolithography and wet etching techniques. The grooved substrates were coated with a 200-nm-thick layer of titanium using a sputtering system. Smooth Ti-coated Si wafers were used as control surfaces. Analysis of the scanning electron microscopy observations shows that the cells responded to the micropattern by spreading out and becoming elongated. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay indicated that the grooved specimens had a significantly larger number of cells than did the control group after 5- and 15-day cultures. The cytocompatibility of specimens was quantitatively evaluated by a cytodetacher, which directly measures the detachment shear force of an individual cell to the substrate. After 30-min culture, the cell adhesion forces were 48.4, 136.6, and 103.3 nN for the smooth specimen, the T1 specimen, and the T2 specimen, respectively. The cell adhesion strengths were 294, 501, and 590 Pa for the smooth specimen, the T1 specimen, and the T2 specimen, respectively. The cell adhesion force and cell adhesion strength indicate the quality of cell adhesion, explaining the largest number of cells on grooved specimens. The experimental results suggest that the grooved patterns affect the cell shape and cytoskeletal structure, and thus influence the cell proliferation and cell adhesion force. The cytodetachment test with nanonewton resolution is a sensitive method for studying cell-biomaterial interaction.

Long-lasting hydrophilicity on nanostructured Si-incorporated diamond-like carbon films

We investigated the long-lasting hydrophilic behavior of a Si-incorporated diamond-like carbon (Si-DLC) film by varying the Si fraction in DLC matrix through oxygen and nitrogen plasma surface treatments. The wetting behavior of the water droplets on the pure DLC and Si-DLC with the nitrogen or oxygen plasma treatment revealed that the Si element in the oxygen-plasma-treated Si-DLC films played a major role in maintaining a hydrophilic wetting angle of <10° for 20 days in ambient air. The nanostructured patterns with a roughness of ∼10 nm evolved because of the selective etching of the carbon matrix by the oxygen plasma in the Si-DLC film, where the chemical component of the Si-Ox bond was enriched on the top of the nanopatterns and remained for over 20 days.

Thin film composites of nanocrystalline ZrO(2) and diamond-like carbon: Synthesis, structural properties and bone cell proliferation

We report on the synthesis of thin composites of diamond-like carbon (DLC) and nanocrystalline ZrO(2) deposited using pulsed direct current plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at low temperatures (<120 degrees C). Films containing up to 21at.% Zr were prepared (hydrogen was not included in the calculation) and their structural and surface properties were determined using a number of spectroscopic methods and contact angle measurements. Bone cell adhesion to the films was studied using a 3 day cell culture with osteoblasts. These nanocomposites (DLC-ZrO(2)) consist of tetragonal ZrO(2) nanocrystals with an average size of 2-5 nm embedded in an amorphous matrix consisting predominantly of DLC. The surface water contact angle of the films increased from approximately 60 degrees to 80 degrees as the Zr content increased from 0 to 21at.%. The cell culture study revealed that although the cell counts were not significantly different, the morphology of the osteoblasts growing on the DLC-ZrO(2) nanocomposites was markedly different from that of cells growing on DLC alone. Cells growing on the DLC-ZrO(2) surfaces were less spread out and had a smaller cell area in comparison with those growing on DLC surfaces. In some areas on the DLC-ZrO(2) surfaces, large numbers of cells appeared to coalesce. It is postulated that the difference in cell morphology between osteoblasts on DLC-ZrO(2) surfaces and DLC surfaces is related to the presence of very small tetragonal nanocrystals of ZrO(2) in the composite film.

Automated targeting of cells to electrochemical electrodes using a surface chemistry approach for the measurement of quantal exocytosis

Here we describe a method to fabricate a multi-channel high-throughput microchip device for measurement of quantal transmitter release from individual cells. Instead of bringing carbon-fiber electrodes to cells, the device uses a surface chemistry approach to bring cells to an array of electrochemical microelectrodes. The microelectrodes are small and "cytophilic" in order to promote adhesion of a single cell whereas all other areas of the chip are covered with a thin "cytophobic" film to block cell attachement and facilitate movement of cells to electrodes. This cytophobic film also insulates unused areas of the conductive film, thus the alignment of cell docking sites to working electrodes is automatic. Amperometric spikes resulting from single-granule fusion events were recorded on the device and had amplitudes and kinetics similar to those measured using carbon-fiber microelectrodes. Use of this device will increase the pace of basic neuroscience research and may also find applications in drug discovery or validation.

Proliferation and survival of rat C6 glioma culture in the presence of implants coated with modified carbon-based films

The survival of rat C6 glioma decreased in the presence of implants from VT-16 titanium alloy. Diamond-like carbon coating of VT-16 alloy slightly increased cell death on day 5 of the experiment (39.9+/-2.1%). The percentage of dead C6 glioma cells inside titanium rings with diamond-like carbon coating, incorporating up to 3.5 atom.% Ag nanoparticles, was 53.7+/-4.3% on day 5 of culturing, while after doping to 6.7 atom.% Ag cell death reached 66.7+/-3.2% (p<0.05). The maximum toxic effect towards C6 glioma was detected in the specimens coated with diamond-like film with silver nanoparticles.

Differential patterning of neuronal, glial and neural progenitor cells on phosphorus-doped and UV irradiated diamond-like carbon

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) is an attractive biomaterial for coating human implantable devices. Our particular research interest is in developing DLC as a coating material for implants and electrical devices for the nervous system. We previously reported that DLC is not toxic to N2a neuroblastoma cells or primary cortical neurons and showed that phosphorus-doped DLC (P:DLC) could be used to produce patterned neuron networks. In the present study we complement and extend these findings by exploring patterning of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants, human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) and U-87 astroglioma cells on P:DLC. Further P:DLC data is provided to highlight that P:DLC can be used as an effective coating material for in vitro multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) with potential for patterning groups of neurons on selected electrodes. We also introduce ultraviolet (UV) irradiation as a simple treatment to render DLC neurocompatible. We show that UV:DLC can be used to support patterned and unpatterned cortical neuron growth. These findings strongly support the use of DLC as tailorable and tuneable substrate to study neural cell biology in vitro and in vivo. We conclude that DLC is a well-suited candidate material for coating implantable devices in the human nervous system.

Incorporation of Si and SiO(x) into diamond-like carbon films: impact on surface properties and osteoblast adhesion

The interaction of human osteoblast cells with diamond-like carbon films incorporating silicon and silicon oxide (SiO(x), 1 < or = x < or = 1.5) and synthesized using the direct-current plasma-activated chemical vapour deposition method was investigated. Cell culture studies were performed for films with Si contents ranging from approximately 4 at.% to 15 at.%. Substantial differences between Si-incorporated and SiO(x)-incorporated films were found for the bonding environments of Si atoms and the hybridization of underlying carbon structures. However, osteoblast-attachment studies did not show statistically significant trends in properties of cell growth (count, area and morphology) that can be attributed either to the Si content of the films or to the chemical structure of the films. The surface energy decreased by 40% as the Si content of the SiO(x) incorporated DLC films increased to 13 at.%. The cell adhesion properties however did not change in response to lowering of the surface energy. The incorporation of both Si and SiO(x) leads to a beneficial reduction in the residual stress of the films. The average roughness of the films increases and the hardness decreases when Si and SiO(x) are added to DLC films. The impact of these changes for load-bearing biomedical applications can be determined only by carefully controlled experiments using anatomic simulators.

Preferential cell attachment to nitrogen-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC:N) for the measurement of quantal exocytosis

Electrochemical measurement of transmitter or hormone release from individual cells on microchips has applications both in basic science and drug screening. High-resolution measurement of quantal exocytosis requires the working electrode to be small (cell-sized) and located in immediate proximity to the cell. We examined the ability of candidate electrode materials to promote the attachment of two hormone-secreting cell types as a mechanism for targeting cells for to recording electrodes with high precision. We found that nitrogen-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC:N) promoted cell attachment relative to other materials tested in the rank order of DLC:N>In(2)O(3)/SnO(2) (ITO), Pt>Au. In addition, we found that treating candidate electrode materials with polylysine did not increase attachment of chromaffin cells to DLC:N, but promoted cell attachment to the other tested materials. We found that hormone-secreting cells did not attach readily to Teflon AF as a potential insulating material, and demonstrated that patterning of Teflon AF leads to selective cell targeting to DLC:N "docking sites". These results will guide the design of the next generation of biochips for automated and high-throughput measurement of quantal exocytosis.