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2604449 
Journal Article 
MEMS based examination platform for neuro-muscular communication in a co-culture system coupled to a multi-electrode-array 
Fernekorn, U; Fischer, M; Klett, M; Augspurger, C; Hiebl, B; Schober, A 
2008 
227-230 
WOS:000272170200060 
Development of sensor-connected in vitro neuromuscular co-culture systems may provide a useful tool for interpreting mutual signal transfers between the cell species and for future drug screening applications. A glass-based, autoclavable, micro fluidic culturing system consisting of two chambers connected by 50 pm micro capillaries with a diameter of 5 pm was designed. Micro capillaries were generated by two technological approaches. First reactive ion etching was used for structuring the glass capillaries as well as a subsequent bonding to a glass carrier with electrodes by using an UV-activatable adhesive. As second approach a structured SU8-layer was used simultaneously for generating the capillaries and as an intermediate layer for bonding. Chambers and fluidic luer connectors (structures in sub-millimeter scale) were realized by means of a cost effective micro-sandblasting process. The co-culture system was combined with a commercially available multi electrode array. This setup allows stimulation of adherent neuronal cells in one chamber and measurement of action potentials induced in myotubes derived from the myogenic C2C12 cell line in the other. Neuronal processes growing through micro capillaries were detected using immuno-fluorescence staining methods. This hybrid technology represents a new approach for electrophysiological recordings. 
bio-mems; neuromuscular synapse; mea; co-culture