TY - JOUR
T1 - Engineered neuronal circuits
T2 - A new platform for studying the role of modular topology
AU - Shein-Idelson, Mark
AU - Ben-Jacob, Eshel
AU - Hanein, Yael
PY - 2011/9
Y1 - 2011/9
N2 - Neuron-glia cultures serve as a valuable model system for exploring the bio-molecular activity of single cells. Since neurons in culture can be conveniently recorded with great fidelity from many sites simultaneously, it has long been suggested that uniform cultured neurons may also be used to investigate network-level mechanisms pertinent to information processing, activity propagation, memory, and learning. But how much of the functionality of neural circuits can be retained in vitro remains an open question. Recent studies utilizing patterned networks suggest that they provide a most useful platform to address fundamental questions in neuroscience. Here we review recent efforts in the realm of patterned networks' activity investigations. We give a brief overview of the patterning methods and experimental approaches commonly employed in the field, and summarize the main results reported in the literature. The general picture that emerges from these reports indicates that patterned networks with uniform connectivity do not exhibit unique activity patterns. Rather, their activity is very similar to that of unpatterned uniform networks. However, by breaking the connectivity homogeneity, using a modular architecture, it is possible to introduce pronounced topology-related gating and delay effects. These findings suggest that patterned cultured networks may serve as a new platform for studying the role of modularity in neuronal circuits.
AB - Neuron-glia cultures serve as a valuable model system for exploring the bio-molecular activity of single cells. Since neurons in culture can be conveniently recorded with great fidelity from many sites simultaneously, it has long been suggested that uniform cultured neurons may also be used to investigate network-level mechanisms pertinent to information processing, activity propagation, memory, and learning. But how much of the functionality of neural circuits can be retained in vitro remains an open question. Recent studies utilizing patterned networks suggest that they provide a most useful platform to address fundamental questions in neuroscience. Here we review recent efforts in the realm of patterned networks' activity investigations. We give a brief overview of the patterning methods and experimental approaches commonly employed in the field, and summarize the main results reported in the literature. The general picture that emerges from these reports indicates that patterned networks with uniform connectivity do not exhibit unique activity patterns. Rather, their activity is very similar to that of unpatterned uniform networks. However, by breaking the connectivity homogeneity, using a modular architecture, it is possible to introduce pronounced topology-related gating and delay effects. These findings suggest that patterned cultured networks may serve as a new platform for studying the role of modularity in neuronal circuits.
KW - Carbon-nanotubes
KW - Clusters
KW - Electrical activity
KW - Hierarchical networks
KW - Modular networks
KW - Neural engineering
KW - Uniform networks
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=83755172906&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fneng.2011.00010
DO - 10.3389/fneng.2011.00010
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AN - SCOPUS:83755172906
SN - 1662-6443
SP - 1
EP - 8
JO - Frontiers in Neuroengineering
JF - Frontiers in Neuroengineering
IS - SEPTEMBER
ER -