Guidance of neuronal growth with DEP
J. James Jun
PresenterUniversity of Calgary
Dr. Rudolf PotucekSupervisorUniversity of Calgary
January 25, 2007
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Application of dielectrophoresis(DEP) for directing neuronal growth
Neuronal Guidance
Theory of DEP
Modeling & Experiment
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Neuronal growth: random vs. directed
Random Directed
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Electric forces: Electrophoresis vs Dielectrophoresis
Electrophoresis
Any electric fields
Charged object
DC
Dielectrophoresis
Spatially varying field
Polarizable object
DC or AC
EPF qE
DEPF p E
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Modeling and Experiment
Microsphere
BrainPond snail Neuron
Field Modeling Vision Tracking
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Experiment with polymer bead
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Electric field modelingQuadruple electrodes configuration
top
side
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Computer vision tracking
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Experiment with a live snail neuronChallenges
More complicated than the experiment with beads
Long term experiment (3 days)
Need an evaporation control with perfusion system
Need a neurotrophic factor enriched medium
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Conclusions DEP can be used to direct a neuronal growth with electric field modeling and computer vision trackingDEP is a non-contact force and bio-chemically safe
Electric field modeling to optimizes DEP parameters
Computer vision tracking to track a growthcone
Experiments planned with beads then snail neurons
Questions?
