Bottom-up neuroscience

Understanding the brain is one of the grand challenges of the 21st century. At present research in this field revolves around two approaches: First, the study of individual neurons by electronic and biochemical means and, second, the imaging of the whole brain using MRI. We have developed a tool-box in order to create a bridge between these two approaches and to build small networks of neurons with controlled topography on a chip. We apply electronically tunable surface chemistry in combination with micro- and nanostructuring to control the attachment of neurons, the direction of the neurite growth and the formation of synapses. This allows us to study the activity of such bottom-up neuron networks and, thus, the basic processes of memory and learning. These experiments have immediate relevance for biomedical electronic devices such as deep-brain electrodes and implanted biosensors. In addition, the controlled small neural networks can be used to test the effect of potential drugs for diseases of the central nervous system.