Controlled Neuron Growth By Patterned Protein Gradients

page 126 Abstract: Neuron guidance is mainly controlled by the growth cone, located at the end of an axon. Extra-cellular components, including proteins, control the directional growth of these neurons; this allows for the possibility to manipulate extra-cellular factors to aide in the accurate rewiring of damaged neurons. The objective of this project is to create a standard platform on which to study neuron guidance by protein gradients using an electrospray system. The electrospray system is first studied using polystyrene latex (PSL) particles. This method deposits a uniform distribution of particles on a substrate and can be controlled to spray at constant velocities or accelerations. Neuron cells from extracted dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of fetal chickens are used to observe growth patterns under varying conditions, including various protein gradients and the presence of different proteins.