An Improved 3D In Vitro Model for High-throughput Electrode Biocompatibility Testing

• Author / Creator

  Jeffery, Andrea F

• Recent technological advancements in the field of neural recording and decoding have changed the landscape of neural prostheses. However, a lack of biocompatible electrodes for long-term neural recording resulting in loss of electrode functionality is currently a major limiting factor for clinical implementation of advancing neural interfacing technology. Chronic activation of microglia and astrocytes as well as increasing cell density at the electrode are considered to be the primary reason for decreasing electrode functionality over time. Glial scarring models to date (primarily in vivo) have provided an excellent documentation of the temporal response of microglia and astrocytes upon electrode insertion, but do not satisfactorily address the degree to which various electrode parameters influence glial scarring. Herein a novel 3D glial scarring model based on hyaluronic acid is proposed. This model is shown to support mixed glial cells, mimic the mechanical properties of the central nervous system and model the acute inflammatory response over 21 days.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Hydrogels
  • Astrocytes
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • 3D Culture
  • Neural Interfacing
  • Biocompatibility
  • Microglia

• Graduation date

  Spring 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3S382

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.