Neuron cell survival on positively charged surface bound gold nanoparticles over gold and silicon substrate

Abstract: The attachment of cells onto solid surfaces is a fundamental pedestal in the field of biosensors and biochips development. In this work we investigate the adhesion and survival of rat cortical neurons on positively charged surface. We bind amino-functionalized thiol (Amino-EG6-undecanethiol) on Au nanoparticles that are immobilized on surfaces with varying density. The neural cell survival and adhesion is studied on the Au nanoparticles that work as carriers for positive charges. The Au nanoparticles attachment is done by silanizing a Si/SiO2 surface with amino terminated silane (APTES) and on gold substrate by 11-MUA (11-Mercaptoundecanoic acid). Different number of positive charge on Au nanoparticles is obtained by tuning the number of density of Au nanoparticles. A comparison is made between two types of surfaces for cell survival and attachment. The neural cells are cultured on positively charged gold nanoparticles as well as on PLL (Poly-Lysine) coated surfaces. The Characterization of the neuronal cell adhesion and endurance is done with the help of fluorescence optical light microscopy. Fabricaion of discrete purely chemical gradients of precursor molecules and nanoparticle by means of Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL) was performed. This technique facilitated the transfer of 3D patterns from micro and nanofabricated molds into a deformable resist. The generated resist structure could be used to apply locally chemical agents to target substrates. The nanoparticles patterns which were made by Nanoimprint lithography had the same shape and size like the structures on Master stamp and the mold which were made from the master stamp.