Suspended nanoporous membranes as interfaces for neuronal biohybrid systems

A biohybrid system composed of neuronal cells and silicon-supported nanoporous membranes has been designed to facilitate control of the biochemical environment of neuronal networks with cellular resolution. The membranes may exhibit variable pore sizes and interpore distances and are interfaced to a microfluidic device. Different porosity parameters give rise to changes in the transconductance of the nanopores and can therefore be used to control diffusion of molecules through the membranes. It was shown that the porous membranes are biocompatible with primary vertebrate as well as insect neurons. Our results indicate that nanoporous membranes may be used to interface with biological materials in a biohybrid system, for example as an artificial chemical synapse interface.