Engineering gold biointerfaces with mixed short-chain thiols: Electrochemical and cellular studies

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are crucial for tailoring surface properties at the molecular level.
• Thiol-based SAMs on gold substrates offer versatile surface modification for applications in biosensing, catalysis, and biomedicine.
• Controlling cell-surface interactions is vital for advancing neural interfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of mixed thiol SAMs, specifically 2-thiophenethiol (TT) and 2-mercaptoethanol (ME), on neural cell behavior.
• To evaluate how varying ratios of TT:ME SAMs influence electrochemical performance, surface morphology, and neural cell responses.
• To identify an optimal SAM composition for improved neural interface integration.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of mixed SAMs using 2-thiophenethiol (TT) and 2-mercaptoethanol (ME) on gold-coated substrates in different ratios.
• Characterization of SAMs' electrochemical performance and surface morphology.
• Assessment of neural cell behavior, including neurite outgrowth and astrocytic activation, on the modified surfaces.

Main Results:

• Mixed SAMs of TT and ME were successfully prepared on gold surfaces.
• Varying ratios of TT:ME SAMs demonstrated distinct effects on surface properties and neural cell interactions.
• An equal ratio of TT:ME SAMs significantly promoted neurite outgrowth.
• The equal TT:ME ratio also effectively minimized astrocytic activation.

Conclusions:

• Mixed thiol SAMs offer a tunable platform for surface engineering in neural applications.
• The equal TT:ME ratio represents a promising formulation for enhancing neural interface biocompatibility.
• This approach holds potential for improving the integration of neural devices through precise chemical surface modification.