Neuronal Cultures: Exploring Biophysics, Complex Systems, and Medicine in a Dish

Soriano, Jordi

doi:10.3390/biophysica3010012

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 126 publications

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“…activity by using the Schmitt trigger method [65,66], and the final train of detected spikes for each ROI across the culture was visualized in the form of a raster plot.…”

Section: Productmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation and Mechano-Functional Characterization of PEGylated Fibrin Hydrogels: Impact of Thrombin Concentration

López-León,

Planet,

Soriano

2024

Gels

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Three-dimensional (3D) neuronal cultures grown in hydrogels are promising platforms to design brain-like neuronal networks in vitro. However, the optimal properties of such cultures must be tuned to ensure a hydrogel matrix sufficiently porous to promote healthy development but also sufficiently rigid for structural support. Such an optimization is difficult since it implies the exploration of different hydrogel compositions and, at the same time, a functional analysis to validate neuronal culture viability. To advance in this quest, here we present a combination of a rheological protocol and a network-based functional analysis to investigate PEGylated fibrin hydrogel networks with gradually higher stiffness, achieved by increasing the concentration of thrombin. We observed that moderate thrombin concentrations of 10% and 25% in volume shaped healthy networks, although the functional traits depended on the hydrogel stiffness, which was much higher for the latter concentration. Thrombin concentrations of 65% or higher led to networks that did not survive. Our results illustrate the difficulties and limitations in preparing 3D neuronal networks, and stress the importance of combining a mechano-structural characterization of a biomaterial with a functional one.

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“…activity by using the Schmitt trigger method [65,66], and the final train of detected spikes for each ROI across the culture was visualized in the form of a raster plot.…”

Section: Productmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation and Mechano-Functional Characterization of PEGylated Fibrin Hydrogels: Impact of Thrombin Concentration

López-León,

Planet,

Soriano

2024

Gels

Self Cite

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“…Therefore, it seems worth turning first to simpler “toy” experimental systems, in particular, to two-dimensional (2D) neuronal networks grown in vitro , like a woven carpet, the so-called neuronal cultures [4, 5]. Dense micro-electrode arrays embedded in the surface under such a carpet allow detecting electrical impulse (“spiking”) activity of neurons with high spatial and temporal resolution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The vitals for steady nucleation maps of spontaneous spiking coherence in autonomous two-dimensional neuronal networks

Zendrikov,

Paraskevov

2024

Preprint

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Thin pancake-like neuronal networks cultured on top of a planar microelectrode array have been extensively tried out in neuroengineering, as a substrate for the mobile robot’s control unit, i.e., as a cyborg’s brain. Most of these attempts failed due to intricate self-organizing dynamics in the neuronal systems. In particular, the networks may exhibit an emergent spatial map of steady nucleation sites (“n-sites”) of spontaneous population spikes. Being unpredictable and independent of the surface electrode locations, the n-sites drastically change local ability of the network to generate spikes. Here, using a spiking neuronal network model with generative spatially-embedded connectome, we systematically show in simulations that the number, location, and relative activity of spontaneously formed n-sites (“the vitals”) crucially depend on the samplings of three distributions: 1) the network distribution of neuronal excitability, 2) the distribution of connections between neurons of the network, and 3) the distribution of maximal amplitudes of a single synaptic current pulse. Moreover, blocking the dynamics of a small fraction (about 4%) of non-pacemaker neurons having the highest excitability was enough to completely suppress the occurrence of population spikes and their n-sites. This key result is explained theoretically. Remarkably, the n-sites occur taking into account only short-term synaptic plasticity, i.e., without a Hebbian-type plasticity. As the spiking network model used in this study is strictly deterministic, all simulation results can be accurately reproduced. The model, which has already demonstrated a very high richness-to-complexity ratio, can also be directly extended into the three-dimensional case, e.g., for targeting peculiarities of spiking dynamics in cerebral (or brain) organoids. We recommend the model as an excellent illustrative tool for teaching network-level computational neuroscience, complementing a few benchmark models.

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“…[8][9][10][11][12] From the perspective of synthesizing fundamental principles of biological computing, there are significant opportunities for deploying electrical interfaces in vitro, particularly in conjunction with engineered neural substrates. [10][11][12][13] Indeed, by spatially distributing and connecting biological units (neural populations) of prescribed size, geometry, or neuron-type onto input/output electronic platforms, living processing architectures may be realized, operated, and tested, [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] potentially enabling a new class of computing systems, with ramifications in engineering, biology and healthcare.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mind In Vitro Platforms: Versatile, Scalable, Robust, and Open Solutions to Interfacing with Living Neurons

Zhang,

Dou,

Kim

et al. 2023

Advanced Science

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Motivated by the unexplored potential of in vitro neural systems for computing and by the corresponding need of versatile, scalable interfaces for multimodal interaction, an accurate, modular, fully customizable, and portable recording/stimulation solution that can be easily fabricated, robustly operated, and broadly disseminated is presented. This approach entails a reconfigurable platform that works across multiple industry standards and that enables a complete signal chain, from neural substrates sampled through micro‐electrode arrays (MEAs) to data acquisition, downstream analysis, and cloud storage. Built‐in modularity supports the seamless integration of electrical/optical stimulation and fluidic interfaces. Custom MEA fabrication leverages maskless photolithography, favoring the rapid prototyping of a variety of configurations, spatial topologies, and constitutive materials. Through a dedicated analysis and management software suite, the utility and robustness of this system are demonstrated across neural cultures and applications, including embryonic stem cell‐derived and primary neurons, organotypic brain slices, 3D engineered tissue mimics, concurrent calcium imaging, and long‐term recording. Overall, this technology, termed “mind in vitro” to underscore the computing inspiration, provides an end‐to‐end solution that can be widely deployed due to its affordable (>10× cost reduction) and open‐source nature, catering to the expanding needs of both conventional and unconventional electrophysiology.

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Neuronal Cultures: Exploring Biophysics, Complex Systems, and Medicine in a Dish

Cited by 9 publications

References 126 publications

Preparation and Mechano-Functional Characterization of PEGylated Fibrin Hydrogels: Impact of Thrombin Concentration

Preparation and Mechano-Functional Characterization of PEGylated Fibrin Hydrogels: Impact of Thrombin Concentration

The vitals for steady nucleation maps of spontaneous spiking coherence in autonomous two-dimensional neuronal networks

Mind In Vitro Platforms: Versatile, Scalable, Robust, and Open Solutions to Interfacing with Living Neurons

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