Cultured neural tissues have been widely used as a simplified experimental model for brain research. However, existing devices for growing and recording neural tissues, which are manufactured using semiconductor processes, have limitations in terms of shape modification and the implementation of three-dimensional (3D) structures.
By "thinking outside the box," a KAIST research team has successfully created a customized 3D neural chip. They first used a 3D printer to fabricate a hollow channel structure, then used capillary action to automatically fill the channels with conductive ink, creating the electrodes and wiring. This achievement is expected to significantly increase the design freedom and versatility of brain science and brain engineering research platforms.
On the 25th, KAIST announced that a research team led by Professor Yoonkey Nam from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering has successfully developed a platform technology that overcomes the limitations of traditional semiconductor-based manufacturing. This technology allows for the precise fabrication of "3D microelectrode array" (neural interfaces with multiple microelectrodes arranged in a 3D space to measure and stimulate the electrophysiological signal of neurons) in various customized forms for in vitro culture chips.
Existing 3D microelectrode array fabrication, based on semiconductor processes, has limited 3D design freedom and is expensive. While 3D printing-based fabrication techniques have recently been proposed to overcome these issues, they still have limitations in terms of 3D design freedom for various in vitro neural network structures because they follow the traditional sequence of "conductive material patterning → insulator coating → electrode opening."
The KAIST research team leveraged the excellent 3D design freedom provided by 3D printing technology and its ability to use printed materials as insulators. By reversing the traditional process, they established an innovative method that allows for more flexible design and functional measurement of 3D neuronal network models for in vitro culture.
First, they used a 3D printer to print a hollow 3D insulator with micro-tunnels. This structure was designed to serve as a stable scaffold for conductive materials in 3D space while also supporting the creation of various 3D neuronal networks. They then demonstrated that by using capillary action to fill these internal micro-tunnels with conductive ink, they could create a 3D scaffold-microelectrode array with more freely arranged microelectrodes within a complex 3D culture support structure.
The new platform can be used to create various chip shapes, such as probe-type, cube-type, and modular-type, and supports the fabrication of electrodes using different materials like graphite, conductive polymers, and silver nanoparticles. This allows for the simultaneous measurement of multichannel neural signals from both inside and outside the 3D neuronal network, enabling precise analysis of the dynamic interactions and connectivity between neurons.
Professor Nam stated, "This research, which combines 3D printing and capillary action, is an achievement that significantly expands the freedom of neural chip fabrication." He added that it will contribute to the advancement of fundamental brain science research using neural tissue, as well as applied fields like cell-based biosensors and biocomputing.
Dr. Dongjo Yoon from KAIST's Department of Bio and Brain Engineering participated as the first author of the study. The research findings were published online in the international academic journal Advanced Functional Materials (June 25th issue).
※Paper Title: Highly Customizable Scaffold-Type 3D Microelectrode Array Platform for Design and Analysis of the 3D Neuronal Network In Vitro
This research was supported by the Consolidator Grants Program and the Global Basic Research Laboratory Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea.