3D Particle-Free Printing of Biocompatible Conductive Hydrogel Platforms for Neuron Growth and Electrophysiological Recording |
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Authors: | Chen Wang Stanislav S. Rubakhin Michael J. Enright Jonathan V. Sweedler Ralph G. Nuzzo |
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Affiliation: | 1. Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 West Green Street, Urbana, IL, 61801 USA;2. Beckman Institute, MC-251, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801 USA;3. Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801 USA;4. Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801 USA |
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Abstract: | Electrically conductive 3D periodic microscaffolds are fabricated using a particle-free direct ink writing approach for use as neuronal growth and electrophysiological recording platforms. A poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/pyrrole ink, followed by chemical in situ polymerization of pyrrole, enables hydrogel printing through nozzles as small as 1 µ m. These conductive hydrogels can pattern complex 2D and 3D structures and have good biocompatibility with test cell cultures ( ≈ 94.5% viability after 7 days). Hydrogel arrays promote extensive neurite outgrowth of cultured Aplysia californica pedal ganglion neurons. This platform allows extracellular electrophysiological recording of steady-state and stimulated electrical neuronal activities. In summation, this 3D conductive ink printing process enables the preparation of biocompatible and micron-sized structures to create customized in vitro electrophysiological recording platforms. |
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Keywords: | 3D printing Aplysia californica conductive hydrogel microfabricated neuron recording |
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