TY - JOUR A1 - Samhaber, Robert A1 - Schottdorf, Manuel A1 - El Hady, Ahmed A1 - Bröking, Kai A1 - Daus, Andreas A1 - Thielemann, Christiane A1 - Stühmer, Walter A1 - Wolf, Fred T1 - Growing neuronal islands on multi-electrode arrays using an accurate positioning-μCP device JF - Journal of Neuroscience Methods N2 - Background: Multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) allow non-invasive multi-unit recording in-vitro from cultured neuronal networks. For sufficient neuronal growth and adhesion on such MEAs, substrate preparation is required. Plating of dissociated neurons on a uniformly prepared MEA's surface results in the formation of spatially extended random networks with substantial inter-sample variability. Such cultures are not optimally suited to study the relationship between defined structure and dynamics in neuronal networks. To overcome these shortcomings, neurons can be cultured with pre-defined topology by spatially structured surface modification. Spatially structuring a MEA surface accurately and reproducibly with the equipment of a typical cell-culture laboratory is challenging. New method: In this paper, we present a novel approach utilizing micro-contact printing (μCP) combined with a custom-made device to accurately position patterns on MEAs with high precision. We call this technique AP-μCP (accurate positioning micro-contact printing). Comparison with existing methods: Other approaches presented in the literature using μCP for patterning either relied on facilities or techniques not readily available in a standard cell culture laboratory, or they did not specify means of precise pattern positioning. Conclusion: Here we present a relatively simple device for reproducible and precise patterning in a standard cell-culture laboratory setting. The patterned neuronal islands on MEAs provide a basis for high throughput electrophysiology to study the dynamics of single neurons and neuronal networks. KW - MEA KW - Patterning KW - μCP KW - Mehrfachelektrode KW - Neuronales Netz Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.09.022 VL - 2016 IS - 257 SP - 194 EP - 203 ER -