Cell Biomaterial Interaction: a Study on Emerging Materials for Neural Implants

A key issue in the development of chronic implantable devices is the study of appropriate material surfaces. The book addresses the interactions of materials with the central nervous system cells. Among different aspects of interactions cell adhesion, selective growth and network formation have been studied elaborately. Surface engineering at the micro and nano-scale is an extensive research tool used for modulating cell- material interaction to enhance biocompatibility of medical implants. An overview of current surface modification approaches has been presented and interactions of neural cells with sapphire and iridium oxide, two emerging material surfaces patterned by lithographic technique have been studied. The interface between materials and cortical neurons are studied at the atomic and molecular level by two surface characterization techniques, XPS and ToF-SIMS which have been recently brought in the study of adsorbed proteins on surfaces. This book should be helpful to students and researchers working with design and development of neuro-prostheses and those involved in the study of in vitro biocompatibility and biomaterials.