Protocol for tailored in vitro neuronal networks on high-density microelectrode arrays with polydimethylsiloxane...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Bioengineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-based high-density microelectrode arrays (HD-MEAs) offer high spatiotemporal resolution for neuronal recordings.
• Integrating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructures onto HD-MEAs to control neuronal network architecture is currently challenging and platform-specific.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a versatile and reproducible protocol for fabricating and integrating PDMS microstructures with HD-MEAs.
• To enable the engineering of defined neuronal architectures compatible with various HD-MEA systems.

Main Methods:

• The protocol details PDMS fabrication, HD-MEA chip preparation, and PDMS-HD-MEA microstructure alignment.
• It includes cell culture procedures and offers alternative methods for flexibility.

Main Results:

• Reproducible formation of modular neuronal networks was achieved.
• Characteristic network activity patterns were observed across different experimental systems.
• The protocol demonstrated compatibility with various HD-MEA platforms.

Conclusions:

• The presented protocol simplifies the integration of PDMS microstructures with HD-MEAs.
• This approach facilitates the engineering of controlled neuronal architectures for advanced neuroscience research.
• The method supports the development of next-generation brain-computer interfaces.