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Trapping neuronal cells may aid in the creation of the cultured neuron probe. The aim of the development of this probe is the creation of the interface between neuronal cells or tissues in human body and electrodes that can be used to stimulate nerves in the body by an external electrical signal in a very selective way. In this way, functions that were (partially) lost due to nervous system injury or decease may be restored.

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The concept of the cultured neuron probe was induced by the possible selective stimulation of nerves for functional recovery after a neural lesion or disease. The probe consists of a micro-electrode array on top of which groups of neuronal cells are cultured. An efficient method to position groups of neuronal cells on top of the stimulation sites of the micro-electrode array is developed. With negative dielectrophoretic forces, produced by non-uniform electric fields on polarizable particles, neuronal cells are trapped. Experimental results and model simulations describe the trapping process and its effect on neuronal cell viability.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction.- 1.1 Neuro-Electronic Interfacing.- 1.2 Culturing Neuronal Cells.- 1.3 Positioning and Culturing Neuronal Cells on a Microelectrode Array.- 1.4 Dielectrophoresis.- 1.5 Scope of This Review.- 2 Dielectrophoretic Trapping of Neuronal Cells.- 2.1 Theory.- 2.2 Materials.- 2.3 Theoretical Description of Dielectrophoretic Trapping.- 2.4 Experimental Description of Dielectrophoretic Trapping.- 3 Exposing Neuronal Cells to Electric Fields.- 3.1 Theory.- 3.2 Theoretical Investigation of Induced Membrane Potentials of Neuronal Cells.- 3.3 Experimental Investigation of Neuronal Membrane Breakdown.- 4 Investigating Viability of Dielectrophoretically Trapped Neuronal Cells.- 4.1 Viability of Neuronal Cells Trapped at a High Frequency.- 4.2 Viability of Neuronal Cells Trapped at Low Frequencies.- 4.3 Recording Neuronal Activity.- 5 Summary.- References.

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1. 1 Neuro-Electronic Interfacing 1. 1. 1 Nervous System Communication in the(human) bodyand the interaction with the environment is controlled by the nervous system. It can be divided into a central part, which - cludes the spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, and cerebrum, and a peripheral part, which includes all neuronal tissue outside the central part (Martini 2001). The latter provides the interface between the central nervous system and the internal and ext- nal environment of the body. Eye, ear, skin, and muscle sensors provide the nec- sary information. Via primary afferent neurons this information is transmitted to the central nervous system. Conversely,this system provides information to the - tor organs via theefferent fibers. Furthermore, the central nervous system is resp- sible for cognition, learning, and memory. Neurons are cells specialized for receiving information and transmitting signals to other neurons or to effector cells, such as muscles and glands (Levitan 1991). Like all other cells, neurons are enclosed by a cell membrane, which is a double layer of phospholipid molecules. This bilayer, about 10 nm thick, serves as a barrier that - lows the cell to maintain an internal (cytoplasmic) composition far different from the composition of the extracellular fluid. It contains enzymes, receptors, and an- gens that play central roles in the interaction of thecell with other cells.

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