Microchannel-based platform for the study of neural circuit development in vitro

Neural circuits of the brain are strongly affected by sensory and other stimuli during development, and abnormal response to incoming stimuli can result in psychiatric and neurological disorders. The neural circuits are stimulated by axonal projections from other brain areas. We have developed an in vitro platform that mimics the axonal projection to the hippocampus to understand the mechanisms involved in the activity-dependent development of neural circuits in that brain region. We have used a combination of slice culture and microfabrication techniques to create co-cultures of axon-interconnected hippocampus slices. The slices preserved the layered architecture typical of the hippocampal region, and developed functional slice-to-slice axonal projections. This platform paves the way for in vitro studies of realistic neural circuits whose connectivity and activity can be easily manipulated.