Dynamic and Functional Alterations of Neuronal Networks In Vitro upon Physical Damage: A Proof of Concept
There is a growing technological interest in combining biological neuronal networks with electronic ones, specifically for biological computation, human–machine interfacing and robotic implants. A major challenge for the development of these technologies is the resilience of the biological networks...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Micromachines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/13/12/2259 |
| _version_ | 1797456198646104064 |
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| author | Sàlem Ayasreh Imanol Jurado Clara F. López-León Marc Montalà-Flaquer Jordi Soriano |
| author_facet | Sàlem Ayasreh Imanol Jurado Clara F. López-León Marc Montalà-Flaquer Jordi Soriano |
| author_sort | Sàlem Ayasreh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There is a growing technological interest in combining biological neuronal networks with electronic ones, specifically for biological computation, human–machine interfacing and robotic implants. A major challenge for the development of these technologies is the resilience of the biological networks to physical damage, for instance, when used in harsh environments. To tackle this question, here, we investigated the dynamic and functional alterations of rodent cortical networks grown in vitro that were physically damaged, either by sequentially removing groups of neurons that were central for information flow or by applying an incision that cut the network in half. In both cases, we observed a remarkable capacity of the neuronal cultures to cope with damage, maintaining their activity and even reestablishing lost communication pathways. We also observed—particularly for the cultures cut in half—that a reservoir of healthy neurons surrounding the damaged region could boost resilience by providing stimulation and a communication bridge across disconnected areas. Our results show the remarkable capacity of neuronal cultures to sustain and recover from damage, and may be inspirational for the development of future hybrid biological–electronic systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:04:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1ecc7c8d4d3144629fcce21027117afb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:04:52Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj.art-1ecc7c8d4d3144629fcce21027117afb2023-11-24T16:46:51ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2022-12-011312225910.3390/mi13122259Dynamic and Functional Alterations of Neuronal Networks In Vitro upon Physical Damage: A Proof of ConceptSàlem Ayasreh0Imanol Jurado1Clara F. López-León2Marc Montalà-Flaquer3Jordi Soriano4Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, SpainDepartament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, SpainDepartament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, SpainDepartament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, SpainDepartament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, SpainThere is a growing technological interest in combining biological neuronal networks with electronic ones, specifically for biological computation, human–machine interfacing and robotic implants. A major challenge for the development of these technologies is the resilience of the biological networks to physical damage, for instance, when used in harsh environments. To tackle this question, here, we investigated the dynamic and functional alterations of rodent cortical networks grown in vitro that were physically damaged, either by sequentially removing groups of neurons that were central for information flow or by applying an incision that cut the network in half. In both cases, we observed a remarkable capacity of the neuronal cultures to cope with damage, maintaining their activity and even reestablishing lost communication pathways. We also observed—particularly for the cultures cut in half—that a reservoir of healthy neurons surrounding the damaged region could boost resilience by providing stimulation and a communication bridge across disconnected areas. Our results show the remarkable capacity of neuronal cultures to sustain and recover from damage, and may be inspirational for the development of future hybrid biological–electronic systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/13/12/2259neuronal culturesfunctional organizationnetwork damageresiliencerecovery |
| spellingShingle | Sàlem Ayasreh Imanol Jurado Clara F. López-León Marc Montalà-Flaquer Jordi Soriano Dynamic and Functional Alterations of Neuronal Networks In Vitro upon Physical Damage: A Proof of Concept Micromachines neuronal cultures functional organization network damage resilience recovery |
| title | Dynamic and Functional Alterations of Neuronal Networks In Vitro upon Physical Damage: A Proof of Concept |
| title_full | Dynamic and Functional Alterations of Neuronal Networks In Vitro upon Physical Damage: A Proof of Concept |
| title_fullStr | Dynamic and Functional Alterations of Neuronal Networks In Vitro upon Physical Damage: A Proof of Concept |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dynamic and Functional Alterations of Neuronal Networks In Vitro upon Physical Damage: A Proof of Concept |
| title_short | Dynamic and Functional Alterations of Neuronal Networks In Vitro upon Physical Damage: A Proof of Concept |
| title_sort | dynamic and functional alterations of neuronal networks in vitro upon physical damage a proof of concept |
| topic | neuronal cultures functional organization network damage resilience recovery |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/13/12/2259 |
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