Nano-topography Enhances Communication in Neural Cells Networks

V. Onesto, L. Cancedda, M. L. Coluccio, M. Nanni, M. Pesce, N. Malara, M. Cesarelli, Enzo M. Di Fabrizio, F. Amato, F. Gentile

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neural cells are the smallest building blocks of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Information in neural networks and cell-substrate interactions have been heretofore studied separately. Understanding whether surface nano-topography can direct nerve cells assembly into computational efficient networks may provide new tools and criteria for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this work, we used information theory approaches and functional multi calcium imaging (fMCI) techniques to examine how information flows in neural networks cultured on surfaces with controlled topography. We found that substrate roughness Sa affects networks topology. In the low nano-meter range, S-a = 0-30 nm, information increases with Sa. Moreover, we found that energy density of a network of cells correlates to the topology of that network. This reinforces the view that information, energy and surface nano-topography are tightly inter-connected and should not be neglected when studying cell-cell interaction in neural tissue repair and regeneration.
Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalScientific Reports
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 29 2017

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Nano-topography Enhances Communication in Neural Cells Networks'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this