Ink-jet printing for micropattern generation of laminin for neuronal adhesion

In order to achieve defined adhesion and neurite outgrowth, the growth substrate must be patterned in an appropriate way. We utilised ink-jet printing by means of a piezo-based microdispenser to create defined line patterns of a polymer with typical dimensions of 100 mum width on glass, silicon, gold and carbon substrates. Vinnapas(R), a co-polymer of vinyl acetate and ethylene, was mixed with the extracellular matrix protein laminin to achieve neuronal adhesion on the surface of the patterns. It could be demonstrated that the laminin entrapped in the polymer lines can be recognised by a specific antibody. Adhesion of embryonic chicken forebrain neurones is following the prepared lines, and identity of adhering cells could be shown by neurofilament staining. These findings open the route for the generation of complex small neuronal arrays and for the electrochemical investigation of the obtained neuronal matrix. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.