Application of self-rolled-up membrane technology for enhanced neuron guidance and alignment

Neural circuits are fundamental components that regulate critical autonomic functions throughout the human body. Disruption of neural circuits, through neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, as well as sensory neuropathies, and traumatic injuries can be incredibly debilitating. Neurological deficits have been identified as the leading cause contributing to disability adjusted life years in the United States, meaning they lead to more years of healthy life lost to disease state, leading cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Neural circuits cannot repair themselves in the same way a superficial cut, or even injury to the liver can be repaired. The inability of neural circuits to recover from injury results from a combination of the loss of essential cues that disappear post-developmentally, and complications from inflammatory response and glial scarring. Engineered therapies for neural regeneration are a burgeoning area of interest, with many techniques being explored to improve existing scaffolds for neural repair (e.g. nerve guide conduits), and develop new methods to manipulate and enhance neurite growth. This dissertation reports the use of self-rolled-up silicon nitride (SiNx) membranes to culture neurons for future applications for neuroregenerative repair. Through initial characterization of neurite growth on the microtube platform, we demonstrate enhanced alignment of neurites along the microtube topography. Following modification of microtube geometry, we found that adjustment to microtube array pitch improves neurite alignment compared to a static pitch, and increased microtube length also confers greater instances of neurite alignment. Initial experiments adding electrical stimulation to the platform reveal increased neurite growth rate and length, and increased neurite organization along the direction of the electric field. The work presented in this dissertation lays the foundation for further adaptation of the SiNx microtubes for applications for neuroregenerative therapies.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Bioengineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2019

Author dc:creator

• Cangellaris, Olivia Vassiliki

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gillette, Martha U.
• Li, Xiuling
• Bashir, Rashid
• Kong, Hyunjoon

• neurons
• neuronal alignment
• microtubes
• silicon nitride nanomembranes
• self-rolled-up membranes (S-RUMs)
• neural scaffold
• topographical cues
• electrical stimulation
• electric field

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2018 Olivia Vassiliki Cangellaris. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/102933

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/102933