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SUMMARY:Cell-Material interface investigated via SEM/focused ion beam - Dr
 . Francesca Santoro
DTSTART:20180514T150000Z
DTEND:20180514T160000Z
UID:TALK105886@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Vanessa Blake
DESCRIPTION:The interface between biological cells and non-biological mate
 rials has profound influences on cellular activities\, chronic tissue resp
 onses\, and ultimately the success of medical implants and bioelectronic d
 evices. Materials can differ for their chemical composition\, surface roug
 hness\, topography\, mechanical properties and displayed biochemical cues.
  The success of bioelectronic devices for both in vivo and in vitro applic
 ations lies in the effective coupling of cells/tissues with the devices’
  surfaces. It is known how a large cleft between the cellular membrane and
  the electrode surface massively affects the quality of the recorded signa
 ls or ultimately the stimulation efficiency of a device. However\, there r
 emains a critical need to directly examine the aforementioned cleft at the
  relevant length scale of nanometers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) a
 nd focused ion beam (FIB) milling are powerful tools in analyzing interfac
 es for inorganic and organic materials. However\, using FIB-SEM for interf
 aces involving biological specimens has been challenging due to the inhere
 nt low contrast of biological samples and the structural artifacts induced
  by sample drying. Here\, I present a new FIB-SEM method that overcomes th
 ese limitations to resolve the cleft between cells and devices with 10 nm 
 resolution. Furthermore\, I will present an overview of this method’s ap
 plication relevant to the bioelectronic field including the investigation 
 of the interface between cells and 3D conductive structures such as nanopi
 llars and PEDOT-based grooves. I will discuss how 3D structures effectivel
 y minimize the cleft while surprisingly the material stiffness does not lo
 cally induce any change on the distance between cells and device.
LOCATION:Lecture Theatre 3\, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotec
 hnology\, West Cambridge Site
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