Self-assembled monolayers of polythiophene conductive polymers improve biocompatibility and electrical impedance of neural electrodes

Prospects for Neuroprosthetics: Flexible Microelectrode Arrays with Polymer Conductors

“…Currently, PEDOT:PSS is one of the CPs with the highest conductivity, is transparent, forms bendable films, is chemically inert and non-cytotoxic. It has therefore found its way into the biosciences as a selective sensing layer in biosensors (Janata & Josowicz, 2003;Lange et al, 2008;Rozlosnik, 2009) and more recently as a feature enhancer of metal microelectrodes (Guimard et al, 2007;Widge et al, 2007). Besides the two conductivity modes (electron-hole and ionic) of CPs, their biophysical properties and process-dependent microand nano-topographies seem to enhance their bio-acceptance and tissue integration (Ateh et al, 2006;Guimard et al, 2007;Owens & Malliaras, 2010).…”

“…For an in-depth discussion see (Merrill et al, 2005;Cogan, 2008;Zhou & Greenberg, 2009;Merrill, 2010). electrochemical or self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formation, it could be shown that brainderived cells attached preferentially to the CP (Cui et al, 2001;Widge et al, 2007;Asplund et al, 2010;Green et al, 2010;Thompson et al, 2010). Recent studies indicate that, apart from its overall geometry and surface chemistry, the nano and micro surface texture of a substrate may have considerable impact on cell adhesion, differentiation, cell morphology and gene expression as well (Wilkinson, 2004;Barr et al, 2010).…”

Science prizes: Best in class

“…Current prosthetics, by contrast, typically offer only one range of motion, opening and closing the fingers. Her group has also tested whether 'molecular wires' , polymers designed to conduct electricity across cell membranes, can be inserted into neuron membranes to connect a silicon prosthesis directly to existing nerve cells 8 . The team has succeeded in artificial cell membranes but has yet to translate their findings to real neurons.…”

Computational Modeling of Poly(alkylthiophene) Conductive Polymer Insertion into Phospholipid Bilayers

“…3 PATs organized in such a SAM could potentially be used for long-term intracellular recording and stimulation of living cells both in vivo and in vitro by inserting PAT "molecular wires" through the cell membrane in the fashion of ion channels. This concept is diagrammed in Figure 1.…”