Nanoscale surface topography reshapes neuronal growth in culture

International audienceNeurons are sensitive to topographical cues provided either by in vivo or in vitro environments on the micrometric scale. We have explored the role of randomly distributed silicon nanopillars on primary hippocampal neurite elongation and axonal differentiation. We observed that neurons adhere on the upper part of nanopillars with a typical distance between adhesion points of about 500 nm. These neurons produce fewer neurites, elongate faster, and differentiate an axon earlier than those grown on flat silicon surfaces. Moreover, when confronted with a differential surface topography, neurons specify an axon preferentially on nanopillars. As a whole, these results highlight the influence of the physical environment in many aspects of neuronal growth

Neurobiology and Cultivation of Olfactory Receptor Neurons on a Chip

The continued study of the olfactory system is essential, as elucidation of its molecular, cellular, and systems neurobiology will undoubtedly reveal a complex interplay that transduces odorant molecule-induced action potentials into odor information processes in the brain such as the mediation of emotion, memory and behavior. Additionally, interest in the olfactory system and its potential applications in the industrial and engineering fields continue to increase. In this chapter, we describe various aspects of olfactory cells ranging from their cellular structures and functions to the development of olfactory cell cultivation methods and the application of cultivated olfactory cells and bio-engineered cells to various types of bioelectronic devices. These applications may ultimately facilitate the development of biomimetic artificial noses. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.1

Neuronal Cultures and Nanomaterials

4noIn recent years, the scientific community has witnessed an exponential increase in the use of nanomaterials for biomedical applications. In particular, the interest of graphene and graphene-based materials has rapidly risen in the neuroscience field due to the properties of this material, such as high conductivity, transparency and flexibility. As for any new material that aims to play a role in the biomedical area, a fundamental aspect is the evaluation of its toxicity, which strongly depends on material composition, chemical functionalization and dimensions. Furthermore, a wide variety of three-dimensional scaffolds have also started to be exploited as a substrate for tissue engineering. In this application, the topography is probably the most relevant amongst the various properties of the different materials, as it may allow to instruct and interrogate neural networks, as well as to drive neural growth and differentiation. This chapter discusses the in vitro approaches, ranging from microscopy analysis to physiology measurements, to investigate the interaction of graphene with the central nervous system. Moreover, the in vitro use of three-dimensional scaffolds is described and commented.reservedmixedMattia Bramini, Anna Rocchi, Fabio Benfenati, Fabrizia CescaBramini, Mattia; Rocchi, Anna; Benfenati, Fabio; Cesca, Fabrizi