Vishwanathan, Ashwin
(2011)
Micro-technologies to constrain neuronal networks.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Micro-technologies broadly encompass a range of technologies that deal with the developmentof tools on the order of a few microns. These tools have made steady inroads into traditionalbiology and have helped probe the functioning of cells on the order of tens of microns.The objective of this work was to use engineering techniques to ask specific questions inneuroscience.Using two different techniques, namely microcontact printing and microfluidics we suc-cessfully restricted the spread of networks of neurons to defined geometries. In the formercase, we chose to restrict networks to 'ring' shaped geometries, in order to study emergentreverberating properties in the resulting network. Ring shaped neuronal networks displayedreverberatory activity upon brief stimulation. This reverberatory activity was enhancedwhen network inhibition was abolished pharmacologically. Finally the effect of varying geometric parameters on this form of network activity was assessed. Here we found that smallchanges in the geometry did not have any significant effect on the reverberatory activity.In the second case, we restricted networks of neurons inside microfluidic devices. Thesemicrofluidic devices were capable of maintaining two populations of neurons in a fluidicallyisolated manner. The two populations communicated via microgrooves that allowed axons to reach across either population. We integrated an electrophysiological framework onto themicrofluidic device such that one of the two populations could be electrically stimulated. Weshow, using calcium imaging it was possible to stimulate neurons inside these devices.In conclusion, we have demonstrated the use of micro-technologies to constrain neuronalnetworks to specific geometries. We show here the emergence of reverberation in 'ring'shaped networks. Finally, we also created a novel microfluidic platform to culture neuronsfor extended periods of time.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
27 June 2011 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
10 November 2010 |
| Approval Date: |
27 June 2011 |
| Submission Date: |
18 January 2011 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Swanson School of Engineering > Bioengineering |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Calcium imaging; Electrophysiology; Micro-technology; Microcontact printing; Microfluidics; Neuronal networks; Reverberation |
| Other ID: |
http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-01182011-132821/, etd-01182011-132821 |
| Date Deposited: |
10 Nov 2011 19:31 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 13:36 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/6295 |
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