Microfabrication, surface modification, and laser guidance techniques to create a neuron biochip

In this report we illustrate our application of soft lithography-based microfabrication, surface modification, and our unique laser cell-patterning system toward the creation of neuron biochips. We deposited individual forebrain neurons from Day 7 embryonic chicks into two rows of eight in a silicon microstructure aligned over a microelectrode array (MEA). The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane with microstructures to confine cells and guide network connectivity was aligned to the electrodes of a MEA. Both the MEA and the PDMS membrane were treated with O₂ plasma, Poly-L-Lysine, and Laminin to aid in cell attachment and survival. The primary advantage of our process is that it is quicker and simpler than previous cell-placement methods and may make highly defined neuronal network biochips more practical.