A Novel Microfluidic Device Combining Dielectrophoresis-based Cell Patterning and 3d Biomaterials

Central nervous injury induces an astrocytic glial scar bordering the lesion site that prevents neuronal axon reestablishment of synaptic connections. An in vitro model that mimics the architecture of the lesion site would allow study of the interaction between neurons and the glial scar. Our previous studies have shown that neurons and astrocytes have significantly different dielectric properties [1]. We report a novel approach for generating an in vitro model of a lesion site in a three dimensional (3D) matrix by utilizing dielectrophoresis(DEP)-based cell patterning in an integrated microfluidic device that generates a soluble factors gradient to direct axonal extension.