Axonal dysfunction is a key feature of CNS diseases and injuries like Alzheimer’s, stroke, and spinal cord injury. This study presents a microfluidic chip combining hPSC-derived neurons and a light-patterned substrate for axon-targeted research. The chip uses optimized PDMS microtunnels to isolate axons from cell bodies and guide unidirectional growth. In the axonal compartment, photoinscribed nanotopography on azobenzene glass efficiently aligns axons. The platform is demonstrated by modeling oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced axonal damage. This innovative chip provides a powerful tool for studying axonal behavior and developing treatments for CNS disorders.
M. Ristola, C. Fedele, S. Hagman, L. Sukki, F. E. Kapucu, R. Mzezewa, T. Hyvärinen, P. Kallio, A. Priimagi, S. Narkilahti, Directional Growth of Human Neuronal Axons in a Microfluidic Device with Nanotopography on Azobenzene-Based Material. Adv. Mater. Interfaces 2021, 8, 2100048. https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202100048