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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Design, Surface Treatment, Cellular Plating, and Culturing of Modular Neuronal Networks Composed of Functionally Inter-connected Circuits
Published on: April 15, 2015
Nano-patterned SU-8 surface using nanosphere-lithography for enhanced neuronal cell growth
Eunhee Kim1, Seung-Jun Yoo, Eunjung Kim
1DGIST-ETH Microrobotics Research Center (DEMRC), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea. Department of Robotics Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea.
Nanoscale surface textures on SU-8 polymer can guide cell behavior. Nanowell arrays promoted long-term neuronal growth, offering a potential alternative to cell adhesive coatings for implantable devices.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Cellular Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Mimicking extracellular matrix topography influences cellular functions like adhesion and differentiation.
- Nanoscale surface textures are crucial for regulating cellular behavior in tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate SU-8 polymer surfaces with nanowell arrays using nanosphere lithography.
- To evaluate the effect of these nanowell surfaces on neuronal development and long-term neurite outgrowth of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.
- To assess the potential of nanowell surfaces as a replacement for traditional cell adhesive coatings.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of SU-8 polymer surfaces with ordered nanowell arrays via nanosphere lithography using polystyrene nanoparticles.
- Culturing of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells on both nanowell-patterned and unpatterned poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated SU-8 surfaces.
- Long-term observation of neuronal development and neurite outgrowth over two weeks in cell culture medium.
Main Results:
- Neuronal development of PC12 cells on the SU-8 nanowell surface was comparable to that on the unpatterned PLL-coated SU-8 surface.
- Cells cultured on the nanowell SU-8 surface exhibited sustained long-term neurite outgrowth compared to the PLL-coated surface, even after two weeks.
- The topographical modification demonstrated efficacy in supporting neuronal growth over extended periods.
Conclusions:
- Topographical surface modification using SU-8 nanowell arrays can effectively support neuronal development and long-term outgrowth.
- These nanowell surfaces show promise as a viable, long-lasting alternative to conventional cell adhesive coatings like PLL for polymer-based implantable devices.
- This approach offers potential for advanced biomaterial applications requiring sustained cellular interaction.
