Gold surface microelectrode arrays permit geometrical control of neuronal networks via thiol linking chemistry

Realization of in vitro neuronal circuits on microelectrode arrays (MEAs) may significantly benefit basic neuroscience studies, as well as provide insight relevant to applications such as neural prostheses or cell-based biosensors. Here we report on a design approach in which the MEAs are coated with gold so as to permit the use of the relatively reliable surface modification chemistry afforded by alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The alkanethiol based linking chemistry is then used to control the geometry of an in vitro neuronal network grown on the MEA