Development of a Neural Co-Culture Bioactive Compound Sensor

Synkera Technologies proposes to develop a bipartite Living Neural Networks (LNN) platform capable of sustaining two different types of intercommunicating neuronal modules that can be independently exposed to and record electrical and biochemical perturbations. The focal point of the proposed sensor will be a micromachined biochip platform for guided and reproducible growth of LNN on ceramic substrates. The advantages of this platform include the following: (1) improved growth characteristics of the neural co-culture, (2) the ability to reproducibly control neuronal and axonal outgrowth between two LNN, (3) the ability to provide discrete access of biochemical perturbations to each LNN, (4) the ability to provide nanoelectrode access with superior electrical characteristics and contact to the LNN, and (5) fewer processing steps for less expensive devices.