Patterned, Transparent and Functionalized Inkjet-Printed Substrates for Neuronal Culture Studies

Abstract

Many diseases related to the neural network are diffcult to study in its natural environment. Due to that fact, the functions and properties of neurons are studied in cultures in vitro. This work attempts to manufacture a patterned transparent and biocompatible substrate based on a repulsive background of poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) and an inkjet-printed adhesive molecule of a collagen/poly-L-lysine (PLL) mixture above it. This ink, totally designed in this study, allows printing specific patterns where neurons will adhere. It was possible to get a characterized repulsive background and a printable adhesive molecule, obtaining biocompatible printed patterns.