Analysis of human neural cells phenotype after culture on different nanostructured topographies
Abstract: The journey of a nerve cell Our body contains a complex network of nerve cells that form connections. Imagine if one of these connections is broken, just like when a power line is cut off, electricity cannot flow to the destination. In the same way if a connection is broken in the central nervous system, electrical synapses cannot travel to their destination. When drawing power lines they require support, in the form of poles or scaffolds these guide and direct the power lines so they end up in the right place. In the same way the neuritis extending from the nerve cells require support, this is provided by the extracellular matrix where different structures and cues guide cells. When growing nerve cells it is often done on a flat surface with no support or guidance except for what is underneath, the nerve cells will spread in every direction growing like huge carpets over their growth surface. When trying to bridge a gap created by injury this is very unfavorable. In this experiment we have grown nerve cells on surfaces that contain small fibers, when compared to a flat surface the nerve cells grow along the fibers, following straight lines. This could be observed by using antibodies directed towards molecules commonly in the presence of growing cells, the antibodies bind to these molecules and a second antibody binds to the first ones, the second contains a fluorophore. A fluorophore works like a little lamp, it can get turned on when certain wavelengths of light shines on it, this enables us to see it under a fluorescence microscope and determine position of the nerve cells. Through these methods we were able to determine that the small fibers could be used to guide nerve cell growth. Something that could be incredible useful for treatment of injuries where gaps need to be bridged or closed. Supervisors: Marina Castro Zalis and Ulrica Englund-Johansson Degree Project 15 credits in Molecular Biology 2016 Department of Biology, Lund University
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