6 research outputs found
Guided Neuronal Growth on Arrays of Biofunctionalized GaAs/InGaAs Semiconductor Microtubes
We demonstrate embedded growth of cortical mouse neurons in dense arrays of
semiconductor microtubes. The microtubes, fabricated from a strained
GaAs/InGaAs heterostructure, guide axon growth through them and enable
electrical and optical probing of propagating action potentials. The coaxial
nature of the microtubes -- similar to myelin -- is expected to enhance the
signal transduction along the axon. We present a technique of suppressing
arsenic toxicity and prove the success of this technique by overgrowing
neuronal mouse cells.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figure
Mechanistic investigation of the effect of endoglucanases related to pulp refining
Endoglucanases are increasingly being touted as the ultimate solution for reducing energy consumption during the refining process in the pulp and paper industry. However, due to the high variety of endoglucanases in different enzyme formulations, these perform heterogeneously when applied to different pulps. In this study, the effect of four endoglucanases on softwood and hardwood pulp was studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) after addition of fluorescently labelled carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and high-performance liquid chromatography quantification of released oligo- and monosaccharides was performed for in-depth mechanistical investigation. Changes in the crystallinity levels caused by enzymatic degradation of amorphous regions were monitored by incubation with two different CBMs from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii and from Thermobifida fusca with high preference to either amorphous or crystalline regions of cellulose, respectively. When dosed at identical activity on the endoglucanase specific CellG5 substrate, CLSM analysis indicated the highest decrease of amorphous regions for those endoglucanases which were also most active in laboratory refining trials and which released highest amounts of cellooligomers from pulp. Using 13C-NMR analysis, an increase in para-crystalline cellulose caused by enzyme application was observed. Release of reducing sugars was determined at identical CellG5 dosage, indicating a high variance between the enzymes, especially when complex enzyme formulations were used. Scanning electron microscopy images were obtained for visualization of the endoglucanase activity. The results of mechanistical studies indicate that reduction of amorphous moieties of pulp by endoglucanases is especially beneficial for the refining proces
Designer Neural Networks with Embedded Semiconductor Microtube Arrays
Here
we present a designer’s approach to building cellular
neuronal networks based on a biocompatible negative photoresist with
embedded coaxial feedthroughs made of semiconductor microtubes. The
diameter of the microtubes is tailored and adjusted to the diameter
of cerebellum axons having a diameter of 2–3 μm. The
microtubes as well as the SU-8 layer serve as a topographical cue
to the axons. Apart from the topographical guidance, we also employ
chemical guidance cues enhancing neuron growth at designed spots.
Therefore, the amino acid poly-l-lysine is printed in droplets
of pl volume in the front of the tube entrances. Our artificial neuronal
network has an extremely high yield of 85% of the somas settled at
the desired locations. We complete this by basic patch-clamp measurements
on single cells within the neuronal network