Thompson-Steckel, Greta
PhD student
Sept. 2014 to May 2019
Research Interests:
Advancement of tools and neural interfaces to probe network electrophysiology
Well-defined activity patterns and characteristics of neural circuits remain difficult to characterize in vivo.
--> Objective I. Scale down complex neural circuits to patterned networks in vitro compatible with microelectrode arrays (MEA), where we can control exact stimuli and monitor the outputs, while minimizing the countless confounding factors present in vivo.
To study network activity, neurons need to be cultured long-term, limiting the sample number to the number of available MEAs, which are expensive and have limited reusability.
--> Objective II. Create a high-throughput assay to test the effect of electrical stimulation on neural circuits of defined architectures grown within a 3D cellulose substrate.
The neuro-electronic interface involves significant efforts to optimize for successful stimulation/recording and cell viability.
--> Objective III. Develop a soft, stretchable electronic microelectrode array to integrate with neural substrates of matched mechanical properties.
It is unclear how electrical stimulation of distinctly connected neural circuits influences neural dynamics at a network scale.
--> Objective IV. Obtain reproducible neural network responses based on stimulation protocol and complement results with that of electrical stimulation for therapeutic purposes.
Education
- M.Sc. Neuroengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- B.Sc. Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journals:
10. Greta Thompson-Steckel*, Csaba Forró*, Sean Weaver*, Serge Weydert*, Stephan Ihle, Harald Dermutz, Mathias J. Aebersold, Raphael Pilz, László Demkó, János Vörös. Modular microstructure design to build neuronal networks of defined functional connectivity. Accepted to Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2018.
9. Greta Thompson-Steckel*, Mathias J. Aebersold*, Adriane Joutang, Moritz Schneider, Conrad Burchert, Csaba Forró, Serge Weydert, Hana Han, János Vörös. (2018). external page Simple and inexpensive paper-based astrocyte co-culture to improve survival of low-density neuronal networks. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12(94), doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00094
8. Greta Thompson-Steckel*, Harald Dermutz*, Csaba Forró , Victoria de Lange, Livie Dorwling-Carter, János Vörös László Demkó (2017). external page Paper-based patterned 3D neural cultures as a tool to study network activity on multielectrode arrays. RSC Advances, 7, 39359. doi: 10.1039/c7ra00971b
7. Serge Weydert, Stefan Zürcher, Stefanie Tanner, Ning Zhang, Rebecca Ritter, Thomas Peter, Mathias J. Aebersold, Greta Thompson-Steckel, Csaba Forró, Markus Rottmar, Flurin Stauffer, Irene A. Valassina, Giulia Morgese, Edmondo M. Benetti, Samuele Tosatti, and János Vörös (2017) external page Easy to Apply Polyoxazoline-Based Coating for Precise and Long-Term Control of Neural Patterns. Langmuir, doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b01437
6. N. Zhang*, V. Milleret*, G. Thompson-Steckel, N.P. Huang , J. Vörös, B.R. Simona and M. Ehrbar (2016). external page Soft hydrogels surface gradients for the simple establishment of 3D tissue model for screening applications. Submitted to Journal of Biomolecular Screening.
5. Mathias J. Aebersold, Harald Dermutz, Csaba Forró, Serge Weydert, Greta Thompson-Steckel, János Vörös, László Demkó (2016). external page “Brains on a chip”: Towards engineered neural networks. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 78, 60-69. doi: 10. 1016/j.trac.2016.01.025
4. Magnus C. Mayer, Linda Schauenburg, Greta Thompson-Steckel, Daniela Kaden, Philipp Voigt, Michael Schaefer, Timothy E. Kennedy, Gerhard Multhaup (2016). external page Amyloid precursor-like protein 1 (APLP1) is a zinc-dependent neuronal adhesion protein. Journal of Neurochemistry, 137(2). 266-276. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13540
3. Greta Thompson-Steckel*, Sébastien G. Ricoult*, James P. Correia, Timothy E. Kennedy and David Juncker (2014). external page Tuning Cell-Surface Affinity to Direct Cell Specific Responses to Patterned Proteins. Biomaterials, 35(2), 727-736. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.10.023
2. Greta Thompson-Steckel and Kennedy TE (2014). external page Maintaining and Modifying Connections: Roles for Axon Guidance Cues in the Mature Nervous System. Neuropsychopharmacology Reviews, 39(1), 246-247. doi:10.1038/npp.2013.212
1. Goldman JS, Ashour MA, Magdesian MH, Tritsch NX, Harris SN, Christofi N, Chemali R, Stern YE , Thompson-Steckel G, Gris P, Glasgow SD, Grutter P, Bouchard JF, Ruthazer ES, Stellwagen D, and Kennedy TE (2013). external page Netrin-1 Promotes Excitatory Synaptogenesis Between Cortical Neurons by Initiating Synapse Assembly. Journal of Neuroscience, 33(44), 17278-17289. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1085-13.2013
Confererence Proceedings:
6. Greta Thompson-Steckel, Mathias J. Aebersold, Harald Dermutz, Ines Lüchtefeld, Jose F. Saenz Cogollo, Shiang-Chi Lin, Conrad Burchert, Moritz Schneider, Hana Han, László Demkó, Tomaso Zambelli, and János Vörös. Precise localized chemical stimulation using the FluidFM to probe spatio-temporal dynamics of neural networks towards an in vitro stroke model. The 21th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS). 22-26 October 2017, Savannah, Georgia, USA
5. Serge Weydert*, Greta Thompson-Steckel*, H. Dermutz, H. Han, M. J. Aebersold, C. Forró, A. Renz, K. Tybrandt, T. Zambelli, J. Vörös. Tools for Defined Neural Networks on Multielectrode Arrays. 10th International Meeting on Substrate-Integrated Microelectrode Arrays, Reutlingen, Germany, 28-1 June 2016.
4. Sebastien G. Ricoult, Greta Thompson-Steckel, Grant Ongo, James P Correia, Timothy E. Kennedy, David Juncker. Digital nanodot gradients and adjustable reference surfaces to investigate axonal turning on substrate-bound protein gradients. International journal of developmental neuroscience, 47(A), 30-31, December 2015. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2015.04.0893.
3. Greta Thompson-Steckel, H. Dermutz, V. de Lange, L. Demko, J. Vörös. Patterned paper-based 3D neural cultures to study network dynamics on multielectrode arrays. The 19th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS), Gyeongju, Korea, 25-29 October 2015.
2. Greta Thompson-Steckel, Sébastien G. Ricoult, James P. Correia, Timothy E. Kennedy and David Juncker. Cell-Surface Affinity of the Reference Surface is Key to Observe Specific Cell Responses to Substrate-Bound Cues. The 17th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS), Freiburg, Germany, 27-31 October 2013.
1. Sébastien G. Ricoult, Greta H. Thompson-Steckel, James P. Correia, Timothy E. Kennedy, David Juncker. Cell-Surface Affinity - a Metric to Characterize Cell Surface Preference - Adjusted for Cell Specific Response to Protein Patterns. Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, USA, 26-29 September 2013.
Conference Presentations:
32. Greta Thompson-Steckel, Csaba Forró, Sean Weaver, Serge Weydert, Stephan Ihle, Janos Vörös. PDMS microstructures for geometric axon guidance: building well-defined neuronal networks. Biointerfaces International 2018, Zurich, Switzerland, 14-16 August 2018.
31. Greta Thompson-Steckel, Sean Weaver, Serge Weydert, Csaba Forró, Stephan Ihle, Janos Vörös. Towards well-defined node-based topologies of functionally directional neuronal circuits on multielectrode arrays. MEA MEETING 2018, 4-6 July 2018, Reutlingen, Germany
30. G. Thompson-Steckel, S. Weydert, C. Forro, S. Weaver, S. Ihle, L. Dorwling-Carter, R. Pilz, J. Vörös. Towards well-defined node-based topologies of directional neuronal circuits on multielectrode arrays.
The 11th FENS Forum of Neuroscience, 7-11 July 2018, Berlin, Germany
29. Greta Thompson-Steckel, Mathias J. Aebersold, Harald Dermutz, Ines Lüchtefeld, Jose F. Saenz Cogollo, Shiang-Chi Lin, Conrad Burchert, Moritz Schneider, Hana Han, László Demkó, Tomaso Zambelli, and János Vörös. Precise localized chemical stimulation using the FluidFM to probe spatio-temporal dynamics of neural networks towards an in vitro stroke model. The 21th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS). Savannah, Georgia, USA, 22-26 October 2017.
28. G. Thompson-Steckel, C. Forró, S. Weydert, A. Renz, M.J. Aebersold, S. Weaver and J. Vörös High-throughput integration of well-defined neural networks with microelectrode arrays to probe spatio-temporal effects of electrical stimulation. Ascona Neural Circuits Conference. Ascona, Switzerland, 2-6 October 2017.
27. G. Thompson-Steckel, A. Renz, K. Tybrandt, C. Forró, S. Weydert, M.J. Aebersold, S. Weaver and J. Vörös. High-throughput integration of well-defined neural networks with microelectrode arrays to probe effects of electrical stimulation. 4th International Winter School on Bioelectronics. Kirchberg in Tirol, Austria, 11-18 March 2017 [[Oral Presentation]]
** Won Nature Materials Best Talk Award.
26. E Wong, S Glasgow, G Thompson-Steckel, TE Kennedy. Post-synaptic expression of DCC regulates synaptic plasticity in the adult mammalian hippocampus. Canadian Association for Neuroscience Meeting, Montreal, Canada, 28-31 May 2017
25. G. Thompson-Steckel, A. Renz, K. Tybrandt, C. Forró, S. Weydert, M.J. Aebersold, and J. Vörös. INTEGRATION OF WELL-DEFINED NEURAL TOPOLOGIES WITH MICROELECTRODE ARRAYS TO MANIPULATE NETWORK DYNAMICS. Medical Bionics Conference, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 20-23 November 2016.
24. A. Renz, G. Thompson-Steckel, K. Tybrandt, , and J. Vörös. FABRICATION OF A SOFT AND STRETCHABLE MULTIELECTRODE ARRAY FOR 3D NEURAL NETWORKS. Medical Bionics Conference, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 20-23 November 2016. [[Oral Presentation]]
23. V. Milleret, G. Thompson-Steckel, B.R. Simona, J. Voros, M. Ehrbar. iPSC-derived neural cultures in 3DProSeed hydrogel well plates. Axiogenesis Workship 2016, Cologne, Germany, 7-9 September 2016
22. G. Thompson-Steckel, A. Renz, K. Tybrandt, J. Vörös. Integration of Portable 3D Neuronal Cultures with Multielectrode Arrays. Biointerfaces International 2016, Zurich, Switzerland, 23-25 August 2016.
21. S. Weydert, S. Tanner, I.A. Valassina, S. Zurcher, S. Tosatti, M.J. Aerbersold, G. Thompson-Steckel, J. Vörös. Novel polymer coatings improve cell patterning quality and stability. Biointerfaces International 2016, Zurich, Switzerland, 23-25 August 2016.
20. G. Thompson-Steckel, A. Renz, K. Tybrandt, J. Vörös. Paper-based Neural Cultures to study patterned networks on multielectrode arrays. 10th FENS Forum of Neuroscience, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2-6 July 2016.
19. Serge Weydert*, Greta Thompson-Steckel*, H. Dermutz, H. Han, M. J. Aebersold, C. Forró, A. Renz, K. Tybrandt, T. Zambelli, J. Vörös. Tools for Defined Neural Networks on Multielectrode Arrays. 10th International Meeting on Substrate-Integrated Microelectrode Arrays, Reutlingen, Germany, 28-1 June 2016.
18. G. Thompson-Steckel, M.J. Aebersold, A. Renz. A. Joutang, K. Tybrandt, H. Dermutz, L. Demkó. J. Vörös. Portable 3D Neuronal Cultures on Cellulose Scaffolds. 3D Cell Culture, Freiburg, Germany, 19-21 April 2016.
17. Greta Thompson-Steckel, H. Dermutz, V. de Lange, L. Demko, J. Vörös. Patterned paper-based 3D neural cultures to study network dynamics on multielectrode arrays. The 19th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS), Gyeongju, Korea, 25-29 October 2015. [[Oral Presentation]]
16. G. Thompson-Steckel, H. Dermutz, V. de Lange, L. Demkó, J. Vörös. Micropatterned paper-based 3D neural circuits. AXON 2015, Klosterneuburg, Austria, 20-23 September 2015.
15. G. Thompson-Steckel, H. Dermutz, V. de Lange, L. Demkó, J. Vörös. Micropatterned paper-based 3D neural circuits to study network dynamics. Neurophysiology for Neural and Biomedical Engineering, Zermatt, Switzerland, 16-21 August 2015.
14. Ricoult S. G., Thompson-Steckel G., Ongo G., Correia J. P., Kennedy T. E. and Juncker D. Digital nanodot gradients and adjustable reference surfaces to investigate axonal turning on substrate-bound protein gradients. International Society for Developmental Neuroscience, Montreal, QC, Canada, 19-24 July 2014.
13. Thompson-Steckel G., Glasgow S., Sadikot A., Ruthazer E., Kennedy T.E. Selective post-synaptic deletion of DCC from CA1 pyramidal neurons alters dendritic spine morphology and impairs spatial memory in aging mice. Canadian Association for Neuroscience, Montreal, QC, Canada. 25-28 May 2014.
12. Ricoult S. G., Thompson-Steckel G., Ongo G., Correia J. P., Kennedy T. E. and Juncker D. Digital Nanodot Gradients with Adjustable Reference Surfaces to Explore Growth Cone Navigation on Gradients of Nanopatterned Protein Cues. Canadian Association for Neuroscience, Montreal, QC, Canada. 25-28 May 2014.
11. Ricoult S. G., Thompson-Steckel G., Ongo G., Correia J. P., Kennedy T. E. and Juncker D. Digital Nanodot Gradients with Adjustable Reference Surfaces to Explore Growth Cone Navigation on Gradients of Nanopatterned Protein Cues. NSERC-CREATE Neuroengineering Workshop, Montreal, QC, Canada, 13 May 2014.
10. Ricoult S. G., Thompson-Steckel G., Ongo G., Correia J. P., Kennedy T. E. and Juncker D. Protein Digital Nanodot Gradients with Adjustable Reference Surfaces to Investigate Axonal Migration in Response to Nanopatterned Cues. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, USA, 9-13 November 2013.
9. Thompson-Steckel G., Ricoult S.G., Correia J.P., Kennedy T.E. and Juncker D. Cell-Surface Affinity of the Reference Surface is Key to Observe Specific Cell Responses to Substrate-Bound Cues. 17th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, Freiburg, Germany, 27-31 October 2013.
8. Ricoult S.G., Thompson-Steckel G., Correia J.P., Kennedy T.E., Juncker D. Cell-Surface Affinity - a Metric to Characterize Cell Surface Preference - Adjusted for Cell Specific Response to Protein Patterns. Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, USA, 26-28 Sep 2013.
7. Ricoult S.G., Thompson-Steckel G., Correia J.P., Kennedy T.E., Juncker D. Cell-Surface Affinity - a Metric to Characterize Cell Surface Preference - Adjusted for Cell Specific Response to Protein Patterns. Integrated Program in Neuroscience Seminar, Montreal, QC, Canada, 19-20 Sep 2013.
6. Thompson-Steckel G., Ricoult S.G., Correia J.P., Kennedy T.E., Juncker D. Cell-Surface Affinity - a Metric to Characterize Cell Surface Preference - Adjusted for Cell Specific Response to Protein Patterns. McGill Biomedical Engineering Symposium, Montreal, QC, Canada, 13 September 2013.
5. Thompson-Steckel G., Ricoult S.G., Correia J.P, Kennedy T.E., Juncker D. Tuning Cell-Surface Affinity to Direct Cell Preference for Protein-Patterned Substrates. McGill NSERC-CREATE Integrated Sensor Systems Summer School, Montreal, QC, Canada, 3-4 June 2013.
4. Thompson-Steckel G., Ricoult S.G., Correia J.P, Kennedy T.E., Juncker D. Tuning Cell-Surface Affinity to Direct Cell Preference for Protein-Patterned Substrates. McGill NSERC-CREATE Neuroengineering Workshop, Montreal, QC, Canada, 7 May 2013.
3. Thompson-Steckel G., Ricoult S.G., Correia J.P, Kennedy T.E., Juncker D. Tuning Cell-Surface Affinity to Direct Cell Preference for Protein-Patterned Substrates, 9th Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Research Symposium Montreal, QC, Canada, 27-28 March 2013.
2. Thompson-Steckel G., Ricoult S.G., Correia J.P., Kennedy T.E., Juncker D. Altering chemotactic response and cell adhesion to μ-contact printed substrate through the titration of background permissivity. McGill Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Poster Session, Montreal, QC, Canada, 28 March 2012.
1. Thompson-Steckel G., Ricoult S.G., Correia J.P., Kennedy T.E., Juncker D. Altering chemotactic response and cell adhesion to μ-contact printed substrate through the titration of background permissivity. The Ottawa Undergraduate Research Poster Competition, Ottawa, ON, Canada, 27 January 2012.
Student Projects:
- Integrating Paper-Based Neural Structures with Stretchable Electronics.
Aline Renz (ETH Zürich Biotechnology, Master Thesis 2016)
- Cellulose-based 3D coculture promoting healthier low-density neuronal cultures.
Adriane Joutang (Université Grenoble Alpes, Master Thesis 2016)
- Cryopreservation of primary neuronal cultures
Samantha Russman (Visiting Summer Student, MIT, Cambridge, MA)
- Determining mechanosensitive properties of sensory neuron electrophysiology using stretchable multielectrode arrays
Eyrún Haraldsdottir (ETH Zürich, Master Thesis 2018)
- In vitro platform to test neuroelectonic interface stability of drug-eluting polymer-coated implants
Thanusha Rasaiah (ETH Zürich, Master Project 2018 )