Electric Field-Induced Effects on Neuronal Cell Biology Accompanying Dielectrophor...

The concept of the cultured neuron probe was induced by the possible selective stimulation of nerves for functional recovery after a neural lesion or disease. The probe consists of a micro-electrode array on top of which groups of neuronal cells are cultured. An efficient method to position groups of neuronal cells on top of the stimulation sites of the micro-electrode array is developed. With negative dielectrophoretic forces, produced by non-uniform electric fields on polarizable particles, neuronal cells are trapped. Experimental results and model simulations describe the trapping process and its effect on neuronal cell viability.