The effect of geometry on cell activity for crosstalk avoidance using a stimulated brain co-culture system on a multielectrode array

Official URL: https://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b2771028_(Table of contents)

Unidirectional and independent growth of axons in in-vitro brain co-culture systems is crucial to establish a signal transmission platform which is capable of transmitting independent signals from source to target with minimum to no cross-talk and channel interference. In this thesis, primary thalamus cells were cultured on multielectrode arrays, aiming to mimic interfacing the LGN through enhanced synapse formation between the seeded source and target cells. Electrical stimulation and baseline activity recordings were analyzed to track cell activity and cross-talk. Axon-guiding microstructures of various designs were tested to observe axon growth directionality under the effect of different design parameters. According to the obtained results, rescue loops and merging structures performed well in guiding the axons in correct directions and changes in channel width influenced the design performance. With the approach in this thesis, it is possible to overcome the hurdles related to the low spatiotemporal resolution of DBS electrodes by carrying the electrodes outside of the brain which gives flexibility to define specific electrode positions and neuron insulation for cross-talk prevention.